Shekarchi among 3 hailed for clean-water work
Cranston Herald RI — Feb 11, 2026
An international nonprofit federation of water-quality professionals has honored Rhode Island House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi for his leadership and outstanding contributions to protecting the sustainability of water resources.
Shekarchi was chosen for a Public Officials Award from the Water Environment Federation, making him one of only three public officials worldwide to receive the award in 2025. The other recipients were Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo and Illinois state Rep. Kimberly Neely du Buclet.
The summit, which has been held at the State House since 2019 at Sherkarchi’s invitation, provides a forum to discuss current and future issues affecting water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and to inform legislators about clean-water issues important to Rhode Island communities.
“Speaker Shekarchi has a been a longtime supporter of the Rhode Island Clean Water Association, and of Rhode Island’s environment, waterways and public health,” said association President Nora Lough. “He is recognized for his leadership, good stewardship and as a supporter of sound legislation to improve our waterways, as well as bills on PFAS, biosolids and funding infrastructure.
