From Recognition to Results: How the Sanitary District of Decatur Delivered for Residents in 2024
From Recognition to Results: How the Sanitary District of Decatur Delivered for Residents in 2024
In 2024, the Sanitary District of Decatur (SDD) reached new milestones in operational excellence, environmental stewardship, and public service. The District was honored to receive the 2024 Plant of the Year Award from the Illinois Association of Water Pollution Control Operators (IAWPCO)—a significant recognition of the team’s commitment to regulatory compliance, safety, and service to the greater Decatur area.
The IAWPCO award, which is given annually to only one large wastewater treatment facility in the state, is based on nominations from the Illinois EPA and considers a range of factors including facility cleanliness, operator training, adherence to safety practices, and public outreach. Although SDD had previously been a finalist, this marks the District’s first time securing the top honor.
Beyond the recognition, the District’s internal 2024–2025 performance scorecard reflects our commitment to meeting and exceeding expectations. The District earned a score of 92.5 out of 100.
Here are a few other highlights worth noting and why they are important to the communities we serve.
Maintaining Excellence in Core Operations
The scorecard reflects outstanding results in product quality, with SDD reporting zero violations of its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. This means every ounce of treated water discharged met strict state and federal standards—an essential indicator of environmental protection and public health.
In addition, the District achieved a 100% passing rate on all DMR-QA proficiency tests, which independently verify the accuracy of laboratory testing. This level of precision builds trust in the data used to guide decisions and report outcomes.
Fiscal Responsibility
Financially, the District continues to demonstrate strong fiscal health, ending the year with net revenue over expenses that was 14% higher than projected, outperforming its target ratio. This speaks to responsible budgeting and cost management, even amid the challenges of operating a major public utility. The resulting surplus was transferred to capital project reserves to help offset the cost of improvement projects and reduce the need to issue debt in the future.
Commitment to Safety and Reliability
On the safety front, SDD recorded zero OSHA-reportable injuries in 2024—an important achievement in a high-risk work environment. And with 99.9% uptime in its Management Information Systems (MIS), the District maintained a high level of operational reliability and responsiveness throughout the year.
The scorecard also noted that 75% of maintenance work completed was scheduled and non-reactive, reinforcing the District’s focus on proactive asset management and infrastructure stability.
Only one overflow violation was recorded within the collection system—an exceptionally low number given the system’s size and complexity.
Looking Ahead
Serving more than 80,000 residents in Decatur, Forsyth, Mt. Zion, Argenta, and Oreana—as well as commercial and industrial users—SDD is central to the region’s environmental and public health infrastructure. With a highly trained workforce, strong financial stewardship, and a culture of continuous improvement, the District is well-positioned to meet the community’s evolving needs.
The achievements of 2024 are not just milestones—they are a reflection of the District’s long-term commitment to excellence. As we work through 2025, we remain focused on innovation, sustainability and reliability, for the people we serve.