News Releases - 1997

Water Plant Operators Win Top Professional Awards

Springfield, Ill. -- Three Illinois drinking water plant operators have been honored for their work by the Illinois Potable Water Supply Operators Association (IPWSOA). Each year the organization selects an "Operator of the Year" in groundwater, surface water and distribution categories, from among operators serving more than 1,700 public water supplies in the state.

Selected as 1997 top operators were Ken Klekamp, chief operator of the Washington water treatment plant, in the groundwater category; Tim Tuley, Pontiac, for supplies using surface water, and Andrew DeMonte, Morton Grove, in the distribution category.

Operator of the Year is the highest professional honor operators can receive in recognition of service and performance in the waterworks industry. Two runners-up are usually recognized in each division as well.

Honorees were recognized and presented with trophies during ceremonies at the 66th annual IPWSOA conference in Springfield Thursday (Sept. 11). The conference is co-sponsored by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, which regulates public water supplies in the state.

Klekamp has been a water supply operator for 17 years. He oversees a two plant water system pumping 5-700,000 gallons daily to serve a community of approximately 9,000. Tuley, who has served the Pontiac community for more than 20 years, also oversees operations of two plants -- an older facility built shortly after the turn of the century and a new plant constructed about four years ago. The Pontiac water plant delivers approximately one million gallons of drinking water a day.

Runners-up in the 1997 judging were Opha Ray Shain, Sullivan, and Raymond Bailey, Troy, groundwater; Patrick Langan, Peoria, and Eddie Lawson, White Hall, surface water; and Geraldine L. Marsala, Hoffman Estates, sole runner up in the distribution category.

The conference closed Friday following election of officers. New president is Craig Cummings, general manager of Consumers Illinois Water Co./Vermilion division, Danville. Other new officers include Ray Werner, water treatment supervisor, Highland Park, first vice president; Thomas Jackson, Glenview, second vice president; James Swayze, Carbondale, third vice president; Kim Albers, San Jose, treasurer; and Richard Alwood, Bloomington, secretary. Joseph Donovan, operations manager for Consumers Illinois Water Co./Kankakee division, is outgoing president.