Hazen’s Carlyn Higgins Receives 2026 WateReuse Association Up and Comer Award
(LOS ANGELES, CA – March 26, 2026) – Hazen Senior Principal Engineer Carlyn Higgins, PhD, PE, recently received the Up and Comer Award from the WateReuse Association at the organization’s 2026 WateReuse Symposium.
The Up and Comer Award is one of many WateReuse Awards for Excellence that are presented annually to recipients who exhibit leadership in advancing water recycling through education, advocacy, technology, and innovation. The Up and Comer Award specifically recognizes an individual with less than 10 years of experience in the recycled water industry, but who has shown strong leadership and a commitment to pursuing water recycling as a career.
Dr. Higgins was nominated for this award by her peers for her combination of technical excellence, magnetic enthusiasm, and perseverance when it comes to advancing water reuse efforts. At Hazen, her work focuses on advanced water treatment technologies and spans reuse project work from design to stakeholder engagement, regulatory navigation, and public outreach. Dr. Higgins has made significant contributions to reuse programs in Florida in particular, including leading a major advanced treatment demonstration facility and full-scale preliminary design to further the development of potable reuse solutions.
Reflecting on receiving this award, Dr. Higgins says that she looks forward to seeing reuse grow as a feasible option for water supply security and resilience across different regions. She also looks forward to continuing to educate more communities about reuse—sharing the breadth and depth of work that goes into the production of safe potable water.
“This award is an immense honor. I consider it a recognition not only for my effort, but for everyone who has mentored me over my career so far,” said Dr. Higgins. “Reuse is emerging as a solution that is cost-effective, sustainable, and can provide wide-ranging benefits to communities. This award fuels me to continue to pave the way for potable reuse!”
For more information about the WateReuse Awards for Excellence and this year’s recipients, visit the WateReuse Association website.
