Celebrating the Water Innovators of 2025
GreenUp, PWD, AKRF, Temple University, and the Valley Forge Sewer Authority Receive WRA’s 2025 Innovation & Collaboration Awards
The Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin is proud to honor the remarkable achievements of leaders and organizations advancing innovation in water research, protection and management. At our October 15th Value of Water event at the University of Delaware, WRA presented the 2025 Innovation & Collaboration Awards—recognizing excellence across business and industry, government, and research.
These awards celebrate forward-thinking solutions with the potential to transform the water sector, strengthen communities, and shape a more resilient region. This year’s honorees advance meaningful, scalable change rooted in ingenuity, partnership, and purpose.
Advancing Workforce Innovation Across the Region
Innovation & Collaboration Award – Business and Industry
GreenUp – James Baney
Philadelphia Water Department – Megan Malloy
AKRF – Kevin M. Flynn, P.E.
WRA congratulates the recipients of this year’s Business and Industry Innovation & Collaboration Award: James Baney of GreenUp, Megan Malloy of the Philadelphia Water Department, and Kevin M. Flynn of AKRF. These leaders were recognized for developing and implementing a collaborative model for water-sector workforce development—an effort that strengthens communities while preparing a new generation of skilled professionals.
Their model supports utilities and community partners across the region, promoting economic mobility, professional development, and leadership pathways. This is innovation rooted not only in science, but in people—meeting the rising workforce needs of green infrastructure, climate resilience, and water utility operations.
Skelly Holmbeck, WRA Executive Director, presented the award to Bilal Khan (on behalf of Kevin Flynn), Megan and James, saying “GreenUp unites scientific knowledge and practical know how to develop a workforce skilled and ready to meet the growing demand for green stormwater infrastructure construction, maintenance, and long term stewardship. We applaud the innovation, the vision, and powerful partnership!”
Innovation to Protect Drinking Water & Ecosystems
Innovation & Collaboration Award – Government Agency
Valley Forge Sewer Authority – C. Eric Stoltz
WRA is thrilled to present the Government Agency Innovation & Collaboration Award to Eric Stoltz and the Valley Forge Sewer Authority (VFSA). Their leadership in addressing emerging contaminants of concern exemplifies the kind of cross-sector partnership needed to tackle today’s most complex water quality challenges.
VFSA partnered with Temple University’s Thermal Technologies and Analytical Laboratory, led by Dr. Gangadhar Andaluri and Md Saiful Islam, to explore advanced, sustainable treatment solutions for contaminants increasingly found in drinking water and wastewater systems. This leadership reflects an ethos shared by innovators across the global water sector: to protect communities by grounding treatment approaches in science, sustainability, and affordability.
Eric accepted the award alongside WRA Board President Jennifer Garigliano. Presenting the award, event co-chair and WRA Executive Committee member Virginia Eisenbrey noted, “Eric’s leadership represents the essence of this award—the willingness to ask hard questions, embrace innovation, and partner across sectors to solve problems that do not have easy answers.”
Research Driving Real-World Solutions
Innovation & Collaboration Award – Research
Temple University’s Thermal Technologies and Analytical Laboratory –
Dr. Gangadhar Andaluri and Md Saiful Islam
WRA proudly honors Dr. Gangadhar Andaluri, Md Saiful Islam, and the Thermal Technologies and Analytical Laboratory at Temple University with the 2025 Innovation & Collaboration Research Award. Their work is grounded in a shared mission: to develop sustainable, cost-effective methods for removing contaminants from water and wastewater.
As treatment demands grow and costs rise, research that bridges scientific rigor with community needs becomes essential. The Temple University team partnered directly with the Valley Forge Sewer Authority to understand regional challenges and evaluate feasible, scalable treatment pathways. Their commitment to community-engaged research and real-world applicability stands out in a time when water systems must adapt quickly to a shifting landscape of contaminants.
The award was presented by Jessica Hartley of Vicinity Energy, WRA Board Member and event Co-Chair, at the Value of Water celebration on the University of Delaware’s STAR Campus. We extend our thanks to the Center for Clean Hydrogen for hosting.
Honoring the 2025 Awardees
Innovation & Collaboration Award – Business & Industry
GreenUp – James Baney
AKRF – Kevin M. Flynn, P.E.
Philadelphia Water Department – Megan Malloy
For building and implementing a model for water-sector workforce development that supports communities and utilities across the region, promoting economic advancement, career development, and leadership opportunities.
Innovation & Collaboration Award – Government Agency
Valley Forge Sewer Authority – C. Eric Stoltz
For addressing the challenge of removing emerging contaminants of concern from water and wastewater through novel and sustainable treatment innovations.
Innovation & Collaboration Award – Research
Temple University’s Thermal Technologies and Analytical Laboratory –
Dr. Gangadhar Andaluri and Md Saiful Islam
For advancing sustainable, cost-effective methods to treat emerging contaminants of concern through groundbreaking collaborative research.
These honorees exemplify what is possible when expertise meets creativity, and when collaboration bridges utilities, research institutions, community programs, and industry partners. The Delaware River Basin continues to be a proving ground for water innovation—with solutions that, like other global breakthroughs, have the potential to shape the future far beyond our region.
There’s abundant room to explore how these accomplishments might influence future policy, technology integration, and community partnerships across the water sector.