Every drop of water that flows from your tap represents hours of work, expertise, and dedication. At the CWLP Water Purification Plant, Kim Lucas leads the team responsible for ensuring that our drinking water is safe, clean, and reliable.
Kim’s day-to-day work focuses on monitoring and optimizing the water treatment process. She reviews water quality data and makes adjustments as needed to ensure compliance with all federal and state drinking water standards. Beyond the science, Kim works closely with staff to keep critical equipment—pumps, filters, and chemical feed systems, operating efficiently and prioritizes maintenance to prevent issues before they arise.
Supervising staff is another key part of her role. Kim ensures that safety procedures and standard operating protocols are followed at all times, while maintaining strict compliance with regulations. She also manages budgeting and administrative responsibilities to keep the plant running smoothly.
The Water Purification Plant operates 24/7 with skilled operators on every shift. These operators monitor the treatment process, maintain water pressure throughout the distribution system, and manage the Spaulding Dam gates during high-water conditions. Supporting them is a dedicated maintenance crew that keeps equipment in top shape and a chemist who performs bacteriological tests in accordance with IEPA regulations to guarantee water safety.
Most people turn on the tap without thinking twice, but behind the scenes, a team of professionals works around the clock to make sure every glass of water meets the highest standards. Thanks to Kim Lucas and her team, Springfield and surrounding communities can count on safe, clean water every day.
Check out the video here!