EEI Recognized With Awards For Hinckley's Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion

The Village of Hinckley and Engineering Enterprises, Inc. (EEI) accepted the American Public Works Association (APWA), Fox Valley Branch Project of the Year Award in the Environmental category for less than $5 million. The award was accepted at a luncheon held on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at Two Brothers Brewing Company in Aurora, Illinois. (APWA FVB Awards 1-13-15 (21) Picture Attached: Left to Right – Jeff Freeman, EEI; Chris Walton, EEI; Joe Moore, Village of Hinckley; Dale Youngers, Test Inc.; Josh Amy, Test Inc.; Jim Roderick, Village of Hinckley; Ceneca Wagner, Village of Hinckley; Dawn Grivetti, Village of Hinckley; Joe Diedrich, Village of Hinckley; Steve Dennison, EEI; and Jim Bernahl, APWA Fox Valley Branch President).

The Village of Hinckley identified the expansion of its wastewater treatment facility as a priority due to the need to replace antiquated equipment with new processes to meet IEPA regulations and address a USEPA Administrative Order. The Village selected a design that expanded design average flow from 0.2 to 0.5 Millions Gallons per Day (MGD) and included the conversion from a fixed film process (rotating biological contactors) to a suspended growth process (activated sludge) for biological treatment. Additionally, new biosolids treatment components were added, and the design reused several existing structures and processes to reduce costs. Constant communication and coordination between the project team, Village officials, USEPA, and IEPA were required throughout the duration of the project. Through this open communication and use of a detailed project phasing plan, the project was completed within the Village’s goals for budget and schedule.

EEI also submitted the project to the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois (ACEC-IL) for their annual awards competition. ACEC-IL recognized EEI and the project with a Special Achievement Award at a luncheon on Friday, February 6th at the Sheraton Lisle Hotel in Lisle, Illinois. (S-05 Engineering 20150206_8607 Picture Attached: Left to Right – John Carrato, ACEC-IL President; Jeff Freeman, EEI; Peter Wallers, EEI; Jim Roderick, Village of Hinckley; Steve Dennison, EEI; Joe Moore, Village of Hinckley; Chris Walton, EEI; State Rep. Steve Andersson; Angie Smith, EEI and John O’Neil, ACEC-IL Awards Committee Interim Chair ) The Engineering Excellence Awards Competition recognizes projects of engineering achievement by Illinois consulting engineering firms. Entries are judged on the basis of engineering excellence, the degree to which the client’s needs are met, and the benefits to the public welfare and private practice of engineering. The Special Achievement Award is given for those projects worthy of special recognition of the engineer and the owner/client for achieving engineering excellence.