News Details
WVWD Receives Prestigious Statewide Award for Commitment to Employee Safety and Excellence
May 25, 2026
Walnut, CA — Walnut Valley Water District (WVWD) has been awarded the Walter “Andy” Sells Commitment to Excellence in Water Safety Award, the highest honor presented by the ACWA JPIA for outstanding commitment to workplace safety, risk management, and employee development.
The award, now in only its second year, recognizes one large agency and one small agency annually across California. WVWD was selected as the recipient in the category for agencies with 30 or more employees, placing the District among only four agencies statewide to ever receive the distinction.
While the award highlights strong operational performance and safety outcomes, District leaders say the true story behind the recognition is the people.
“This award reflects the culture our employees have built together,” said Interim General Manager Jared Macias. “Safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement are not just policies here—they are values our team lives every day. Whether it’s participating in trainings, finding new ways to prevent injuries, or supporting one another in the field and office, this recognition belongs to every employee across the District.”
WVWD earned the recognition through years of active employee participation in safety initiatives, professional development programs, wellness efforts, and operational improvements. Highlights included:
- 47 employees attending live JPIA trainings in 2025 alone
- 220 online safety and professional development courses completed
- Strong participation in leadership and certification programs
- Innovative safety improvements for field and office staff
- A proactive safe driving program resulting in no vehicle incidents since 2024
- Partnership efforts to strengthen wildfire emergency response capabilities
The District was also recognized for maintaining exceptionally strong claims and safety performance across liability, property, and workers’ compensation programs.
WVWD’s employee-driven culture of safety has led to practical improvements across the organization from ergonomic workstations and stretching programs to assistive tools designed to reduce strain on field crews. The District also continues investing in leadership development and workforce growth through industry training and certification opportunities.
“As an organization, we believe taking care of our employees directly impacts how we serve our community,” said Macias. “When employees feel supported, trained, and empowered, everyone benefits.”
WVWD has been a founding member of the JPIA since 1979 and continues to play an active role in statewide leadership and collaboration efforts within the water industry.