DuPage Water Commission gets national award from Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies

The DuPage Water Commission received one of the nation's top honors awarded for exceptional performance of a metropolitan water agency.

On Monday, Oct. 21, DuPage Water Commission Chairman Jim Zay and the commission's general manager John Spatz accepted the 2019 Gold Award for Exceptional Utility Performance from the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies at the 2019 Executive Management Conference in Newport, R.I.

The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies is an organization of the largest publicly-owned drinking water systems in the United States. Its membership serves more than 156 million people from Alaska to Puerto Rico with safe drinking water.

The DuPage Water Commission was one of two utilities in the nation recognized for its exceptional utility performance. The commission received the award for outstanding performance in several areas including:

• Strong financial performance, which includes a AAA bond rating, established reserve policies, and the agency's debt-free status;

• Proactive approach to operations and maintenance;

• Promoting water sustainability with the utility's water conservation and protection programs including participation in more than 75 events;

• Employee development programs for both operating engineers and college engineering interns.

"AMWA awards spotlight the exceptional advances of public drinking water utilities that lead the nation toward sustainability through innovative management practices, executive leadership and employee commitment," said AMWA President Steve Schneider, general manager of Saint Paul Regional Water Services. "Communities that rely on AMWA's 2019 award winning utilities for safe, clean drinking water can also take pride in their outstanding utility management performance."

"I am proud of the work that the Commission board, management and staff has done over the last several years to enable us to receive this award. This achievement is another wonderful example of the remarkable turnaround we have seen at the Commission," stated chairman Jim Zay.

General manager John Spatz said, "I would like to thank the Metropolitan Water Agencies for recognizing the DuPage Water Commission for our performance and management. This award, as well as all the Commission's achievements, continues to demonstrate that the commission is a best-in-class water utility."

"I'm very pleased to see the DuPage Water Commission receive national accolades under the leadership of Jim Zay and John Spatz. Here in DuPage County, we acknowledge the entire organization's dedication to significant reform and continuous improvement. It is rewarding to see this agency honored for its extensive efforts to become this example of good government, both locally, and on the national stage," said DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin.