Board of public works honored with association awards

Health

Sep 23

Photo courtesy of Zeeland Board of Public Works

The Zeeland Board of Public Works (ZBPW) Water Department and its Geographic Information System (GIS) Specialist, Chris Pillsbury, have been honored with the 2024 Professional Excellence Award and the Professional Excellence – Individual Award, respectively, by the American Water Works Association (AWWA). These awards recognize outstanding achievements in water utility management.

"The AWWA Professional Excellence Award is a testament to the hard work, innovation, and dedication of our Water Department. As we look to the future, we remain committed to enhancing our services, embracing new technologies, and, most importantly, ensuring that our community has access to the best possible water service," said Mike Levandoski, Water Operations Manager, Zeeland Board of Public Works.

Chris Pillsbury's role has been instrumental in advancing the department's utility operations, focusing on capital planning, asset management, workflow optimization, and comprehensive record-keeping.

"We are so grateful for his continued dedication to the planning and future of Zeeland Board of Public Works," said Levandoski.

The ZBPW Water Department serves over 3,000 customers in the Zeeland area. With a dedicated team of five full-time staff and one part-time employee, the department ensures the reliable delivery of high-quality water. During peak summer months, water demand can reach as high as 11 million gallons per day.

The department has made substantial progress in improving its water infrastructure and service delivery in the past two years. A notable achievement has been the deployment of 52% of its Sensus AMI fixed network solution, which enhances efficiency and accuracy in utility management.

The department is also executing a five-year plan to replace over 1,000 galvanized service lines, further strengthening the water system's reliability. Additionally, upgrades to pump stations, including installing variable frequency drives and insertion meters, optimize performance and boost energy efficiency.

One of the department's most transformative projects has been the implementation of a comprehensive GIS. This cutting-edge technology has streamlined operations, provided valuable data insights, and will guide efforts to better serve the community in the years ahead.