EEI Wins ACEC-Illinois Special Achievement Award

Engineering Enterprises, Inc. (EEI) recently received a Special Achievement Award for the project titled “Village of Bartlett – An Excess of Excess Flow Challenges: A 10-Year Journey to Compliance.”

Special Achievement Awards are presented to projects recognized by the engineer and the owner/client for engineering excellence.

The Village of Bartlett Excess Flow Lift Station and Force Main Project represents a transformative solution to a longstanding wastewater compliance and capacity challenge. For decades, the Village operated a satellite Excess Flow Treatment Facility that managed peak wet-weather flows, but recently struggled to meet new, stringent NPDES effluent requirements due to its infrequent operation and the dilute nature of the flows. Concerns about the prospects of repeated violations led the Village and Engineering Enterprises, Inc. (EEI) to evaluate multiple alternatives to improve performance, enhance sustainability, and ensure regulatory compliance.

The selected solution involved the design and construction of a new Excess Flow Lift Station, a new interceptor sewer, and nearly two miles of sanitary force main that now convey excess wet weather flow directly to the Village’s main Wastewater Treatment Facility. The innovative lift station design serves a dual function, replacing both the obsolete Excess Flow Treatment Facility and a separate aging residential lift station—effectively two lift stations in one. The improvements were constructed under two construction contracts through close coordination between EEI, the Village, and both contractors.

This project showcases engineering excellence through creative problem-solving, collaboration with multiple agencies, and precise construction coordination. The result is a resilient and efficient wastewater system that ensures long-term environmental compliance, reduces operational costs, and improves service reliability for the community. The Village of Bartlett’s proactive approach and EEI’s innovative design exemplify sustainable infrastructure investment and the power of engineering ingenuity to deliver enduring public benefit.