THE FOLLOWING IS A NEWS-GAZETTE ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BAILEY
DANVILLE — Aqua Illinois’ former area manager has returned.
Andrew Price said he’s happy to be back as area manager in the Danville area after nearly three years of statewide responsibilities. He said he realized working on the road and being away from his family was not for him.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity, but Vermilion County is where I want to be,” he said. “Due to Jonathan Keim leaving Aqua late last year, the area-manager position opened up, which worked out great for me.”
Price started at Aqua in 2005 as a meter technician and advanced to the roles of water-treatment operator and field supervisor/distribution manager before rising to area manager in 2019 and then operations director in 2022.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Franklin University and a master’s in strategic leadership from Olivet Nazarene University.
“My career at Aqua has granted me the ability to improve infrastructure and provide water service that directly impacts our customers and the communities we serve,” he said. “I am committed to expanding on that work while equipping our talented Illinois team to continue raising the bar in our industry.”
Price said Aqua has several projects planned this year, including the following in the East Central Division:
- Working with the city of Danville on a water-main replacement on Cleveland Avenue: Phase 1 began in 2024 and is wrapping up now, with Phase 2, focusing on the section from South Griffin Street to South State Street, due to start ahead of a city road project. Later in the year, Aqua will begin working on the design phase for other main replacements that are set for construction in 2026.
- Aqua has roughly $1 million in work anticipated at the water-treatment plant, which includes replacement of a raw-water pump and its raw-water intake structure. Both of these units are crucial for continuing uninterrupted flow of water into the treatment plant. Both currently operating as they should; but Aqua is taking proactive measures as they are aging. Aqua also will be focusing on upgrades to remote monitoring equipment to enhance performance, efficiency and safety, all while incorporating high-level cybersecurity measures.
- Aqua also plans to replacing the water-hauling station on East Main Street and Lynch Road in Danville.
“The water-hauling station really is a great service provided to the community,” Price said. “We see heavy usage in the summer months, particularly in dry conditions as residential wells struggle to keep up. It is also a convenient resource for construction companies to fill tankers so they can provide water to their job sites.”
Customers in December should have received a “Rate Case Award Letter” from Aqua Illinois that details the a new rate schedule for water and wastewater customers approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission that became effective Dec. 5.
Starting July 1, eligible Aqua customers whose incomes are at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level will be able to receive a 70 percent discount on all base volumetric charges as a part of the newly approved low-income discount rate.
Founded in 1886, Aqua Illinois provides water and wastewater services to approximately 275,000 people in 70 communities and 14 counties.
FOR COMPLETE ACCESS TO NEWS-GAZETTE STORY PLEASE GO TO https://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/people/aqua-illinois-area-manager-returns-to-danville-position/article_c598bfb2-dd97-11ef-89f3-e331a349016f.html