ACWA Presents Emissary Award to Bette Boatmun

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwired - Dec 3, 2014) - The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) today presented its ninth annual Emissary Award to Bette Boatmun, a longtime water leader known for her stewardship on water resources and advocacy on special district issues. Presented at ACWA's 2014 Fall Conference & Exhibition in San Diego, the award recognizes individuals for remarkable contributions to California water through voluntary service to ACWA.

"Bette Boatmun has a long record of leadership and contributions both locally and in the broader water community," said ACWA President John Coleman. "Bette's commitment, hard work and vision have helped to strengthen this organization through her high standards of excellence. We thank and honor Bette for her long-term leadership and support of ACWA and its statewide interests."

Boatmun is a past president of ACWA and a 40-year member of the Contra Costa Water District Board of Directors. During her long tenure on the ACWA Board, she has helped to guide numerous policy initiatives, spearheading efforts such as Hands Across the Border, a program that shared technical expertise with water providers in Mexico, and helping to organize the innovative Women in Water forum. As ACWA president in 2002 and 2003, Boatmun spent considerable time advocating for special district issues and championing sound financial policies for water agencies.

As a member of the Contra Costa Water District board, Boatmun has provided direction on a wide array of local water issues, including Los Vaqueros Reservoir. Recently, the district honored her by naming its drought-tolerant showcase garden in her honor.

Boatmun also has worked to give a boost to promising students hoping to pursue a career in water through her service on ACWA's Scholarship Subcommittee, which awards scholarships to deserving students each year. Boatmun also displays her commitment to public education on water issues through her long-time service on ACWA's Communications Committee.

ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 440 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, visit www.acwa.com.