Alumni Merit Awardee, 2023

Ed Moreno’s college education was Iowa-based, with a degree from Kirkwood Community College in water and wastewater technology, a BS in general science, and an MS degree in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Iowa.  He has lived and worked in eastern Iowa for most of his 36-year professional career, making significant contributions and providing sound leadership in the water field.

His career began in 1980 with a five-year term as an operator for the University of Iowa water plant. Then, a slight shift in focus took him to Region 6 of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for three years, where he served as an environmental specialist, environmental program supervisor, assistant regional administrator, and regional administrator. He then returned to municipal service in 1987 where he was the assistant water superintendent for seven years and then water superintendent for 21 years for the Iowa City Water Division.

He led the Iowa City water utility through a complete transformation of its water source and treatment. From the early 1990s through the mid 2000s, new source water facilities, state-of-the-art water treatment facilities, and finished water transmission system improvements were designed and constructed in multiple phases under his leadership. During that very complex process, his long-term vision and diplomacy skills were key factors in accomplishing the goal of providing a safe and reliable supply of water for Iowa City.

Mr. Moreno has been active in the Lions Club for many years and is a past president of the West Liberty Lions Club. He is president of West Liberty LULAC Council 310, past Chair of the Muscatine Master Gardeners, Ambassador of the Muscatine Chamber of Commerce, and a member of several local service organizations. He was a co-founder of the West Liberty Youth Dream Catchers, an organization providing mentoring and scholarships to foster youth interest in higher educations.