Gopal Guthikonda, PE, BCEE, STV senior technical advisor, has been named the 2025 Alan H. Plummer Environmental Sustainability Award from the Water Environment Association of Texas (WEAT). This award recognizes his outstanding expertise and contributions to environmental sustainability in the state.
With more than 40 years of experience in water and wastewater engineering, Guthikonda has played an integral role in advancing water infrastructure and environmental stewardship in Texas. At STV, he has shared his vast knowledge and expertise in regulatory compliance and water system improvements across Central Texas, including recent work on the IH 35 Capital Express South Water and Wastewater relocation program.
“I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to work in operations and maintenance, project management and design of various facilities and pipelines,” said Guthikonda.“I have experienced how our profession contributes to environmental sustainability through our work. It is very fulfilling to see our profession make a difference in people’s lives every day.”
Prior to joining STV, Guthikonda worked for Austin Water for over 26 years, where he spearheaded the implementation of over $2 billion in capital improvements. Notably, under his leadership, the Austin Clean Water Program successfully completed rehabilitation and reconstruction of the deteriorating wastewater collection system to reduce the city’s sanitary sewer overflows from 13 million gallons in 2002 to just 350,000 gallons in 2008, while correcting over 2,500 system-wide overflows. This groundbreaking success has served as a model for utilities nationwide, attracting attention from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and peers in the industry. Based on this success, Austin Water conducted the annual USEPA CMOM workshop which celebrated its 21st annual workshop in 2024.
Guthikonda’s expertise and leadership have earned him numerous accolades, including the 2012 Most Valuable Professional Award from the Underground Construction Technology Association, WEAT’s Sydney L. Allison Award, and American Society of Civil Engineer’s Texas Section’s Government Engineer of the Year. Beyond his technical achievements, Guthikonda’s service to the water community, including his long-standing involvement with WEAT, the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists, and the American Society of Civil Engineers, underscores his dedication to fostering the next generation of engineers. His contributions continue to have a profound impact, ensuring that future generations of Texans will benefit from cleaner, more sustainable water systems.
WEAT will honor Guthikonda at an awards ceremony in March at the Texas Water 2025 conference, the largest regional water conference in the United States.
