Illinois American Water’s Lincoln District Earns National Safety Award
 

[June 10, 2015]  LINCOLN - Illinois American Water’s Lincoln District will be awarded American Water Works Association (AWWA) Wendell R. LaDue Utility Safety Award during AWWA’s annual conference ACE15. The award recognizes distinguished safety programs by water utilities and requires excellent safety records for five consecutive years, as well as a consistent safety program focused on continuous improvement.

Illinois American Water’s Lincoln District is celebrating six years of no loss time accidents and continued safety excellence.

Dave Schonauer, operations superintendent of the Lincoln District, commends his team for their commitment to safety. He said, “This award means a lot to our team, but more important is having our coworkers go home in the same shape or better at the end of the work day. That is our number one priority.”

The Lincoln District conducts safety training for trenching and shoring, respiratory protection and confined spaces on a regular basis. Training includes both classroom and hands-on training. Lincoln District employees also participate in facility and job site audits at every job site to ensure compliance with established workplace safety practices.

Schonauer said, “Our team is committed to not only providing high-quality water service, but to also following all necessary procedures and receiving continued education to ensure team safety. Continued learning is key to keeping us safe in the field and when working water emergencies.”

The award will be presented by AWWA this week in Anaheim, California. Founded in 1881, AWWA is considered the authoritative resource on safe water. AWWA provides knowledge, information and advocacy to improve the quality and supply of water in North America and beyond and advances public health, safety and welfare by uniting the efforts of the full spectrum of the water community.

The Lincoln District has over 5,100 customer connections. Total population served is approximately 18,000 people.

About Illinois American Water – Illinois American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 1.2 million people. American Water also operates a customer service center in Alton and a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville.

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs 6,400 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 47 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found at www.amwater.com.

[Karen Cotton, Illinois American Water]