Carried out annually, the Water New Zealand Awards programme was developed to celebrate and promote the outstanding work done by individuals and organisations in the water sector, and to recognise innovation and excellence in the science, technology, business and delivery of water industry projects.

These awards are held each year in conjunction with the Annual Conference and Expo. Prior to the conference, members are encouraged to nominate suitable candidates for some of the awards, while other awards are judged during the conference. Judging of all awards is managed by panels of water sector experts from relevant areas of the industry.

The following Awards were presented in 2011:

• The Ronald Hicks Memorial Award
• The Opus Trainee of the Year 2011
• The CH2M Beca Young Water Professional of the Year
• The Orica Chemnet Operations Prize
• Hynds Paper of the Year Award
• The AWT Best Poster Award
• Exhibitors Award

Read below for descriptions of the Awards, and the 2011 recipients:

The Ronald Hicks Memorial Award

This annual award is made to the author(s) of a paper that is considered significant in solving or clarifying sewage treatment or water pollution problems in New Zealand. The recipient(s) of this Award receives a framed certificate and cash prize generously provided by the Ronald Hicks Trust.

2011 Recipient: Chris Tanner, James Sukias and Charlotte Yates - NIWA Hamilton

The Trainee of the Year

This Award recognises hard work, aptitude and a keen desire to advance a career in the industry. An employer can nominate any trainee who is currently involved in an NZQA approved course applicable to the water and wastes industry.

The 2011 Trainee of the Year Award is sponsored by Opus International.

2011 Recipient: Brendon Richards (Inghams Enterprises (NZ) Pty Ltd)

CH2M Beca Young Water Professional of the Year

The CH2M Beca Young Water Professional of the Year was launched by Water New Zealand in 2009 to acknowledge and reward one young water professional who has made a significant contribution to the water industry and the general community, and has demonstrated exceptional achievement in the early stages of their career. The Award is open to individual members of Water New Zealand who are under 35 years of age with between 12 months and 10 years work or research experience in the water industry.

2011 Recipient: Caleb Clarke (Morphum Environmental Limited)

Hynds Paper of the Year Award

The Hynds-Water New Zealand Paper of the Year Award is sponsored by the Hynds Group and awarded for the best technical presentation at Water New Zealand Annual Conference, based on relevance to the industry, originality of the work, technical content and project status.

2011 Gold: Paul Webber et al
'Addressing the Environmental Effects of MIning on the Ngakawau River'

2011 Silver: Paul van den Berg
'Water Metering in a Rural District'

2011 Bronze: Hugh Chapman
'Development of a Successful Untethered Leak Detection and Pipe Wall Condition Assessment Technology for Large Diameter Pipelines'

Poster of the Year Award

The Best Poster Award is judged by the Technical Committee at Water New Zealand Annual Conference. The best poster presents up-to-date information about research or projects happening in the water industry in New Zealand in a clear and interesting way. The 2011 Poster of the Year is sponsored by AWT New Zealand.

2011 First: Jo-Anne Cavanagh
'Predicting and Managing Water Quality Impacts of Mining on Streams in New Zealand'

2011 Second: Coral-Lee Ertel
'Asset Management 101 - A graduate Engineer's perspective of entering the world of Asset Management'

2011 Third: Zhuo Chen
'NDMA - A Disinfection By-Product from Chloramination'

Exhibitors Award

The recipients for the Exhibitors Awards are chosen during Annual Conference. The awards are presented to those whose expo stands are exceptional in terms of their look, and also in the friendliness and professionalism of the expo stand hosts towards their visitors.

2011 Best Expo Stand Winner: Filtration Technology

2011 Highly Commended: Marley

2011 Highly Commended: Tyco Flow Control