Naperville Water Utility Receives Top Honor From State Association

Press release from the City of Naperville:

May 6, 2020

The City of Naperville’s Springbrook Water Reclamation Center has received the 2019 Group One Best Operated Wastewater Treatment Works Award from the Illinois Association of Water Pollution Control Operators (IAWPCO).

Springbrook was nominated for the award by the Illinois EPA Division of Water Pollution Control Field Operations Section and was one of only four nominated plants statewide in the Group One category, which recognizes the largest plants in the state. The IAWPCO awards committee conducted a thorough on-site inspection of the facility and records in November 2019.

“We’re so proud to be recognized by our peers,” said Director of Naperville’s Water and Wastewater Utility Darrell Blenniss. “This award acknowledges the hard work and dedication of our employees who strive to maintain the highest standards for the benefit of our customers and the environment.”

The award is based on several criteria including effluent quality (water returned to the DuPage River), equipment maintenance and upgrades, operator certification, safety, plant appearance, budget, laboratory facilities and community support.

At Springbrook, wastewater is taken through a series of steps to treat, filter and disinfect the water. The treated water goes into the DuPage River and the solids are recycled into a nutrient rich fertilizer called biosolids. Springbrook processes over seven billion gallons of water each year and produces about 2,000 dry tons of biosolids.

Naperville’s Water and Wastewater Utility is one of the state’s largest combined utility systems, operating both a water distribution system and a sanitary district with wastewater treatment, and is known as a leader and innovator in asset renewal, sanitary sewer rehabilitation and maintenance activities. For more information about Naperville’s Water and Wastewater Utility and its services, visit www.naperville.il.us/services/water-utility.

About IAWPCO: The Illinois Association of Water Pollution Control Operators is a professional wastewater operator’s organization dedicated to the advancement of knowledge among its members concerning the field of wastewater treatment and promoting their standing to the public. Members come from all areas of the wastewater industry and include operators, education, industry reps, engineers and management employees.

This press release was produced by the City of Naperville. The views expressed here are the author’s own.