West Cook News

The city of Elmhurst has been honored as a Gold Water Ambassador by the American Water Works Assn., Illinois AWA District Trustee Ralph Gross announced at the May 15 city council meeting. 

"I'm here to present to you and the citizens of Elmhurst yet another reason to feel proud of their city government and the utilities division of the Public Works department. And, of course, the great city of Elmhurst, Illinois," Gross said. 

The objective of the Water Ambassador program “is to elevate public perception, promote conservation and consumer education of the water industry to municipalities, government and its citizens," Gross said. "The program is somewhat like the Tree City USA program is for the urban canopy. And like the Tree City designation, the Water Ambassador Gold Award is frequently publicized on signs, stationery and informative literature to further spread the message of conservation and protecting water and the environment.” 

He commended the city government for participating in an online communication tool to promote information and engagement with its citizens. The city organized a highly successful “Sustainability Day,” informing residents about the intricacies of water systems and their city’s water. 

“The water department implemented a very advanced remote water main monitoring technology that will alert them when a leak is present. It's literally saved the city as much as 131 million gallons of water a year, which is incredible," Gross added. 

The Gold Award was given to only 12 Illinois communities this year, and Elmhurst is one of only nine that received the designation for both years since the program started in 2021, Gross said. In his other role, he is president of Associated Technical Services, which has helped the city find and stop over 2,000 leaks since the 1980s, he said. The mayor and council thanked their water department for the effort its staff had made to earn the honor.