Jillian C. Vandegrift Named WateReuse Young Professional of the Year

TAMPA, Florida—CDM Smith is proud to announce that Jillian C. Vandegrift has been named Young Profes­sional of the Year by WateReuse. Vandegrift was recognized for her notable contri­bu­tions to research and advocacy for water reuse in collab­o­ra­tion with researchers, utilities and national orga­ni­za­tions in the field. She will be presented with the award on September 13, 2016, at the annual WateReuse Symposium.

Vandegrift’s reuse-focused laboratory and research experience dates back to her graduate research at Colorado State University. While there, Vandegrift pilot-tested an “opt-in” full scale greywater reuse pilot system in a campus dormitory and provided assistance on a model city ordinance for greywater legislation in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Since joining CDM Smith, her contri­bu­tions to the field have been notable and diverse. Vandegrift is a primary engineer and author of the Potable Reuse Supplement Document to the Envi­ron­men­tal Protection Agency (EPA) 2012 Guidelines for Water Reuse. She is an engineer on Water Research Foundation Project #4508, which will produce a direct potable reuse (DPR) guidance framework that water utilities and regulators can use to evaluate the safety of DPR appli­ca­tions and help facilitate a proactive monitoring process that protects public health. Vandegrift is also working to design a cooling tower reuse system for golf course irrigation at the University of New Mexico. Perhaps most signif­i­cantly, she has criss­crossed the country advocating for potable reuse, presenting at several regional and national conferences in 2016.

“I am proud to see one of the best and brightest young engineers at our firm recognized for her pioneering efforts in the field of water reuse,” says Greg Wetterau, PE, BCEE, CDM Smith vice president and technical strategy leader for water reuse. “Jill has taken an active and determined role in increasing the visibility of water reuse nationwide. This award is very well-deserved.”

WateReuse is the only nonprofit association in the United States focused solely on advancing laws, policy and funding to increase water reuse. The vision of WateReuse is a nation where every community has a safe, reliable, locally-controlled water supply that protects the environment, sustains economic growth and provides a high quality of life.

CDM Smith provides lasting and integrated solutions in water, environment, trans­porta­tion, energy and facilities to public and private clients worldwide. As a full-service engineering and construc­tion firm, we deliver exceptional client service, quality results and enduring value across the entire project life cycle.