In Memoriam: Sam L. Warrington, WEF President 1974–1975

Sam Warrington, Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) president from 1974 to 1975, speaks at a WEF, then known as the Water Pollution Control Federation, event. WEF Archives photo.

Sam L. Warrington, professional engineer and Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) president from 1974 to 1975, died Dec. 11 at the age of 91. He joined WEF in 1954 and became a WEF life member in 1989.

Warrington received a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. He worked as a sanitary engineer at the Texas State Health Department. After retiring from the health department, Warrington worked at the City of Austin Water and Wastewater Department.

Warrington also was an active member of the Water Environment Association of Texas (WEAT; Austin). In 1971, WEAT awarded him the WEF Bedell Award, acknowledging extraordinary personal service to a WEF Member Association. In 2000, WEAT awarded him a Lifetime Achievement award, recognizing his continual contribution to improving the water environment through a long and distinguished career in the wastewater treatment industry.

Warrington also was selected to be a member of the Texas Chapter of the Select Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers, a society which recognizes outstanding, meritorious service above and beyond the call of duty. In addition, he was a life member of the Texas Water Utilities Association (Austin) and served as a secretary of the V.M Ehlers Memorial Fund.

WEF Archives photo.

Warrington is remembered as a role model and mentor as well as a champion for the industry. He stressed the importance of operator certification both for the industry and operators’ careers, according to the Cook-Walden Funeral Home obituary and guest book.

Warrington’s obituary asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made the the V. M. Ehlers Foundation Inc. (Austin) Scholarship Fund, which provides assistance to further the water-related educations of members and family of members belonging to the Texas Public Works Association and WEAT.

— Jennifer Fulcher, WEF Highlights