AWWA names Dr. Karl Linden 2025 A.P. Black Research Award recipient

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) has named Dr. Karl Gregory Linden, Ph.D. as the recipient of the 2025 A.P. Black Research Award. Dr. Linden serves as the chair of the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Established in 1967 in honor of Dr. A.P. Black, the award recognizes outstanding research contributions to water science and water supply practices. Dr. Linden is being recognized for his decades of pioneering work in UV water treatment technology development and application.

“Dr. Linden’s commitment to scientific excellence and his collaborative approach have made him a true leader in water research,” said AWWA CEO David LaFrance. “His innovative contributions to UV technology have not only expanded our understanding of water treatment but also directly improved public health.”

Dr. Linden will be formally presented with the A.P. Black Research Award at the AWWA Annual Conference & Exposition (ACE25) in Denver, Colorado, on Monday, Jun. 9.

Dr. Linden’s career, spanning more than 30 years, began with early research on UV disinfection at the University of California, Davis. He has since become a leading expert in UV-based advanced oxidation and disinfection processes and has contributed significantly to standardizing methods in the practice of UV disinfection research.

“It’s such an honor to receive the A.P. Black Research Award and to be listed among all the incredible prior awardees,” said Dr. Linden. “This is definitely an achievement I could not have made without the collaboration of so many amazing academic and water industry colleagues and of course my wonderful students who continually inspired me along the way.”

Dr. Linden’s work extends to supporting developing communities through projects in Africa and South America and exploring novel applications of LED and 222 nm light for water treatment. He is also a consultant to the World Health Organization (WHO) in developing guidelines for small water systems and is a member of the WHO Water Quality Advisory Group.

“My involvement with the AWWA community and the friends I have made through service and engagement with AWWA, its conferences, and the Water Research Foundation, has been one of the highlights of my career,” said Linden. “The work we have done together has truly changed the water industry, supporting public health protection, and it has been such a privilege to be a part of this inspiring One Water community.”

The A.P. Black Research awardee is selected by a nine-person committee comprised of members of the Water Science and Research Division under AWWA’s Technical and Educational Council. This group of volunteers review the nominations and select the individual judged to be most deserving of the award.

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Established in 1881, the American Water Works Association is the largest nonprofit, scientific and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water, the world’s most vital resource. With approximately 50,000 members, AWWA provides solutions to improve public health, protect the environment, strengthen the economy and enhance our quality of life.