Romeoville Public Works Receives Awards from American Public Works Association

Submitted by the Village of Romeoville:

The Romeoville Public Works Department recently received two awards at the recent American Public Works Association (APWA) Southwest Branch of the Chicago Metro Chapter Awards Ceremony held at the Haley Mansion in Joliet.

The Ultraviolet Disinfection at Lake Strini Wellhouse Project received the Award for Environmental Project of the Year Less Than $5 Million. The project was recognized for its innovative approach, as it is the first project to be permitted to utilize ultraviolet light for the disinfection of drinking water in the State of Illinois. Being the first permanent project of its kind in the state, a four-month pilot program with rigorous sampling requirements was required to be completed prior to final approval by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

“The successful completion of this project opens the door for other communities throughout the State of Illinois to utilize this technology for similar projects in the future. We are fortunate to have employees and consultants that continue to be innovative as we enhance our infrastructure,” said Mayor John Noak.

Next month, the project will also receive the highest award provided at the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) 2015 Engineering Excellence Awards Ceremony, the Honor Award, in the Water Resources Award Category. The ACEC Awards Ceremony recognizes outstanding projects throughout the State of Illinois.

Also at the APWA Awards Ceremony, long-standing Wastewater Superintendent Robert Stoppenbach was honored as the recipient of this year’s Samuel A. Greeley Award. The award recognizes dedicated and continued service of more than thirty years to a local public agency.

The village said it is proud of Stoppenbach’s accomplishment, thanking him for his 39 years of service and wishing him well in his upcoming retirement.