Ian Rohrbacher, Water System Superintendent with the City of Rochester was honored with the 2025 NHWWA Meritorious Achievement Award during the MEWWA/NHWWA Joint Meeting in Bedford in January 15. The award recognizes a NHWWA member in good standing who has provided outstanding service to a water utility, or drinking water community through diligence, innovation, leadership, or just plain hard work.

Ian Rohrbacher began his career in the water industry in 2001. Over the past 25 years, he has earned a grade 4 water treatment license and a grade 3 distribution license in the state of New Hampshire. Ian’s passion for teaching is evident—not only does he mentor future NH operators, but he also goes above and beyond by presenting at numerous operator trainings and NHWWA trade shows. As a past president of the NHWWA board (2016–2017), Ian continues to serve as an instructor and represents NHWWA on the board of the Public Works Association. For more than 14 years, Ian has been a keystone figure at NHWWA, always willing to help; most recently, he enthusiastically hosted last year’s Drinking Water Festival in Rochester.

The entire NHWWA Board and staff would like to congratulate Ian Rohrbacher, Superintendent of the Rochester Water Treatment Plant, as this year’s recipient of the NHWWA Meritorious Achievement Award!

Thank you to all those who take the time to recognize fellow colleagues for their valued contributions, public service and dedication to providing quality drinking water in New Hampshire. To be eligible for nomination the recipient must be a NHWWA member in good standing for at least the past year. The recipient can receive the award only one time.