Amid the flurry of acknowledgments and accolades at Texas Water 2025, held in Houston last week, an Arlington Water Utilities engineer, Robert Stanley, stood with more than applause to take home. According to Arlington Water Utilities Communications, Stanley received the prestigious Sidney L. Allison Award from the Water Environment Association of Texas (WEAT) for his contributions to wastewater management.
Stanley's two decades at the helm of various initiatives within the City of Arlington have not gone unnoticed. His role encompasses overseeing a specialized team adept at in-house modeling, master planning, and geographic information systems (GIS) services. Taking charge of asset management, Stanley's work is crucial in the City's bid to tackle infiltration and inflow challenges and reduce sanitary sewer overflows, tasks quintessential to the overall health of Arlington's sewer infrastructure. "Throughout his distinguished career, Robert has been a dedicated innovator in the wastewater industry, contributing to the advancement of modeling, design, and construction of lift stations and pipelines," Water Utilities Director Alex Whiteway said in a statement.
Stanley's knack for integrating cutting-edge solutions didn't escape recognition. As Whiteway noted, his use of SmartCover manholes and computerized data integration has propelled Arlington's maintenance of sanitary sewer lines into a new era of efficiency and reliability. These high-tech advancements come when aging infrastructure and environmental concerns demand mindful interventions and sustainable approaches to water management, initiatives Stanley seems well-equipped to lead.
In addition to Stanley's achievements, the Arlington Water Utilities' communications and outreach team grabbed an honorable mention at the same event. The Watermark Award competition, which distinguishes water conservation communication efforts, tipped its hat to Arlington for its inventive "Don't be corny – save water!" handouts. Designed for customer distribution and festive occasions like Trunk or Treat events, these handouts reinforce the utility's commitment to spreading the word on water conservation in engaging and accessible ways.
