Illinois American Water Company (ILAWC) and Donohue & Associates were recognized for the Electrical Modernization of a 20-mgd Water Facility project in Peoria, IL. The project received an American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Illinois 2018 Engineering Excellence Merit Award.

ILAWC’s Main Station Water Treatment Facility provides approximately 20 million gallons per day of safe drinking water and fire protection to 75,000 residents, businesses, industries, and Bradley University. Prior to the project, the facility's High Service Pump Station was experiencing multiple single points of failure within the electrical system that caused prolonged periods of down time, unsafe work conditions with equipment subject to flooding, and equipment beyond its useful life. ILAWC set out to improve electrical and hydraulic reliability and enhance the High Service Pump Station.

Donohue provided planning and design for the re-installation and rehabilitation of a vertical turbine high service pump, upgrade of the electrical distribution system, and equipment flood protection. Innovative elements of the upgrade included a new electrical system distribution system increased from 2.4kV to 13.2kV, engine generator to provide backup power, new power supply to the ultraviolet disinfection facility, and new SCADA equipment. A new electrical supply was furnished for the high service pump along with new induction motors and variable frequency drives (VFDs) to maximize energy efficiency for the pumps.

The re-use of the existing high service pump allowed tremendous cost savings and time minimization. Due to effective communication and ILAWC staff involvement throughout, the project was successfully completed on time and under budget.