Desalination Facilities Named Top Engineering Project

(l-r) Paul Gorder, Camp Dresser & McKee; Ed Archuleta, El Paso Water Utilities; Joe Cardenas, Moreno Cardenas Inc.

The team of Moreno Cardenas Inc. and Camp Dresser & McKee received the Eminent Conceptor Award for the design of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Facilities.

The award recognizes the desalination facilities as the top engineering project in Texas for 2008. The criteria included originality, technical complexity, success in meeting client needs and value to the community.

The award was presented by the Texas Council of Engineering Companies at its annual meeting in Irving, Texas. This is the first time an El Paso project has won the award in the 33-year history of the Texas Engineering Excellence Awards Competition.

The project was subsequently submitted to the American Council of Engineering Companies for the national 2008 Engineering Excellence Awards Competition. It received the Honor Award.

The desalination facilities were also a winner in the 2008 Excellence in Environmental Engineering Competition, which is sponsored by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers. Entries are judged on a number of criteria, including innovation, proven performance, and contribution to an improved quality of life.

The facilities received the Superior Achievement Award, which judges award to the best entry.