Water Institute Celebrates Recognition and Student Success at the 2026 Florida AWRA Annual Meeting
The University of Florida Water Institute was proudly represented at the 2026 Florida Section of the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) Annual Meeting. Held on August 6-7 in Key West, Florida, the meeting brought together water professionals and agency leaders from across the state to exchange knowledge and advance solutions to Florida’s pressing water resources challenges. The event also provided students with valuable exposure to Florida’s water community and the professionals working to address these challenges.
This year, the Water Institute received the AWRA Florida Learning Institution Award. Accepted by Water Institute Assistant Director Dr. Paloma Carton de Grammont on behalf of the Institute, the award reflects the Institute’s commitment to student development, professional growth, and workforce training in water resources.
The annual meeting also celebrated the achievements of Ashley Hennessey, Water Institute Ambassador, member of the BREWS (Beneficial Reuse of Wastewater and Solids) cohort, and Ph.D. student in the Department of Soil and Water Sciences. Ashley received the prestigious Sanford N. Young Scholarship, an award recognizing exceptional work by a graduate student in water resources. As part of the recognition for this statewide award, Ashley delivered a technical presentation about her work from the BREWS cohort and her doctoral research. Her talk, titled “Reclaimed Water in Florida: What It Contains and What It Changes,” examined how reclaimed water quality varies across Florida and why these differences matter as communities strive toward smarter water reuse practices and a more sustainable water future.
Through a partnership with AWRA Florida, the Water Institute provided support for students attending the meeting and build their professional networks. Students were able to connect with government agencies such as the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Water Management Districts, utility directors, NGOs, and faculty and students in academia. While attending the meeting, the students learned about current issues, emerging trends, and the latest developments towards innovative solutions for water resources across the state.
“We are grateful for our ongoing collaboration with AWRA Florida and look forward to continuing to expand opportunities for student engagement while strengthening connections between Florida’s water professionals and future leaders,” said Dr. Paloma Carton de Grammont.