Awards and Recognition

We're proud of the many awards that our treatment plant, collection system, staff members and organizational programs have received. We work hard to fulfill our mission to protect human health and the San Francisco Bay, and we appreciate the recognition of our industry peers and our communities.

National Association of Clean Water Agencies

• Excellence in Management Platinum Award - 2021
• Excellence in Management Silver Award - 2020
• Workforce Development Award - Leadership School Program - 2019
• Excellence in Management Gold Award - 2015
• Peak Performance Awards 1993 - 2020

USD's Alvarado Treatment Plant in Union City has been recognized for 28 consecutive years by NACWA (and its predecessor, AMSA) for outstanding performance.

California Association of Sanitation Agencies

• Organizational Excellence Award for USD's Leadership School - 2016
• Outstanding Public Outreach and Education Award for USD's Open House Event - 2015
  
• Innovation Award for USD's Plant Operator III Trainee Program - 2004

California Water Environment Association

• Community Engagement and Outreach Project of the Year - 2015
  San Francisco Bay Section - Open House Event
• Engineering Achievement Award - 2015
  San Francisco Bay Section - Newark Backyard Sanitary Sewer Relocation Project
• Collection System Of The Year
  Statewide Award: 2009, 2005, 1999
  Regional Award: 2011, 2009, 2005, 2003, 1999, 1987
• Treatment Plant Of The Year
  Statewide Award: 2009
  Regional Award: 2009, 1998, 1990
• Electrical/Instrumentation Person of the Year - 2015
  San Francisco Bay Section - Presented to Tom Solari, Instrument Technician/Electrician
• Collection System Worker of the Year - 2013
  Statewide - Presented to Jose Rodrigues, Collection System Worker II
• Al Ditman Professional Development Award - 2013
  San Francisco Bay Section - Presented to Operations Supervisor Larry Simmers
• Treatment Plant Safety Award - 2010
  San Francisco Bay Section

California Special Districts Association

• Innovative Program of the Year 2015
  USD's Leadership School
• Silver Award - Board of Directors in Foundations of Government Program - 2005

California Association of Public Information Officials

• Award of Excellence in Communication 2016 for Special Events
  USD Open House
• Award of Distinction in Photography for "Customer Focus" Newsletter - 2008

Government Finance Officers Association

• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting
  USD has achieved this award annually since Fiscal Year 2004
  USD's Fiscal Year: July 1 through June 30

United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)

• National Clean Water Act Recognition Award
  Outstanding Pretreatment Program - 2008
• Regional Administrator's Environmental Award
  for Pharmaceutical Pollution Prevention - 2007

National Purchasing Institute

• Award for Achievement of Excellence in Procurement
  USD has won this award annually since 2007
  Outstanding Agency Accreditation Achievement Award: 2009 - 2012

Training Magazine's Top 125 Global Training Organizations - 2011

Union City Chamber of Commerce

• Green Business of the Year - 2015
• Best New Green Business - 2009

American Public Works Association

• Distinguished Project Award - 2007

The California Climate Action Registry

• Climate Action Leader Award - 2006