Illinois Potable Water Supply

Operators Association

February 19, 2010

RE: IPWSOA Operator of the Year Award: 2010

Dear Fellow Waterworks Industry Member,

Most of us have the privilege to know an operator that deserves to be recognized for their level of effort — someone that has gone the extra distance to make their water system operate more efficiently, to help the public understand what is involved in providing safe drinking water, or helped others with problems they may be having. We know that most plants depend upon the expertise of a number of operators, but oftentimes one operator has served as an inspiration, mentor or just a dependable supporter for others.    These operators are usually active not only in working hard at the job, but in the community or the industry as well. Please, take just a few minutes to show your recognition by filling out the attached form. I guarantee you it will mean a great deal to the person you are nominating.

The time has come to acknowledge that operator you may know for the exceptional level of effort and commitment he or she has given to the water industry. There are a lot of operators out there that go beyond the “norm” and seldom get recognized. This is your chance to recognize them for their efforts. All operators that are nominated are sent a congratulatory letter acknowledging their nomination along with a set of forms, which must be completed for further consideration. Therefore, even by nomination there is an acknowledgment of the operator’s efforts!

As in the past, two subcommittees will handle selection of the IPWSOA Operators of the Year. The preliminary selection committee will review nominations and contact nominees to obtain additional information and select finalists. The “fly-around” committee will visit each nominee at his or her facility between the latter part of July and the first part of August to rank the awardees in each of three categories: groundwater, surface water, and distribution system.

Persons submitting nominations for Operator of the Year will remain anonymous. The nominee must be a certified operator in the State of Illinois, and cannot have been nominated during the prior two years. In addition, a former winner of the Operator of the Year award is not eligible to compete unless the water supply employing the operator has made a major change in the treatment or operational characteristics of the plant and/or supply. If the operator moves to a new classification of supply, he or she will be eligible to be a finalist after ten years. Questionnaires requesting detailed job information will be sent to the nominee by the preliminary selection committee. Only those nominees who respond to the questionnaire will be considered as final candidates.

In order to reach those operators who deserve recognition, please take time to complete the nomination form attached to this letter. You are an important part of the Operator of the Year selection process. All nominations will be held in strictest confidence. The nomination deadline is May 7, 2010.

Thank you for your help in making the Operator of the Year a success. Without your nominations these awards would not be possible.

Please return your nominations to: David Cronk

Aqua Illinois, Inc. fax: (217) 443-8540

1300 W. Fairchild St. email: dlcronk@aquaamerica..com

Danville, IL 61832