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WATER DIVISION LEADER LAFOUNTAIN AWARDED

May 7, 2026

Illinois Section of American Water Works Association Presents
Todd LaFountain With Honor At Annual Conference

  Todd LaFountain ISAWWA Clifford A Fore distinguish
Photo Credit: Starbelly Studio ( L ) Todd LaFountain, CWLP Water Division Director received Clifford H. Fore award for distinguished service from ( R ) Kevin Smith, American Water Works Association (AWWA) Vice-President.

City Water, Light and Power’s Water Division Director Todd LaFountain was presented the Illinois Section of the American Water Works Association’s (ISAWWA’s) Distinguished Service Award at the group’s annual conference last month. The “Clifford H. Fore” award is presented to a member of the ISAWWA whom reflects a commitment to public service above and beyond required duties and has made advancements for the water industry.

Heather Schmidt, Interim Executive Director of the ISAWWA, said LaFountain was well deserved in receiving the honor for his advocacy. “Todd has been a vital voice in our efforts at the state and federal level for the issues that matter most for our water systems to reliably and affordably serve their customers,” she said. “He actively participates in the national American Water Works Association legislative fly-in in Washington, D.C. and the state legislative events in Springfield.”

In addition to his advocacy, LaFountain, who has almost 35 years of water purification, distribution and engineering experience with 31 of those years at CWLP, volunteers his time teaching aspiring water operators along with giving presentations to schools, non-profit organizations and business organizations on water industry issues.

In LaFountain’s tenure at CWLP he developed among the first lead service line programs in the State of Illinois and implemented and oversaw over $100 million worth of waterworks infrastructure improvements. He has been an ISAWWA member since 1995 holding many roles, most recently as past chair for that organization and the Illinois Potable Water Supply Operators Association. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and a Class A Water Operator in the State of Illinois.

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CWLP Water Division’s best-in-class operation consists of 120 employees dedicated to delivering high-quality water and providing value to the community. In commemoration of Drinking Water Week, May 3-9, CWLP is highlighting the value of its water, as well as the department’s history and some of the people behind the Water Division at CWLP. For additional information about CWLP’s Water Division and water quality, visit CWLP.com and click to the Water Division tab. CWLP customers should follow the CWLP Blog and Social Media accounts, www.facebook.com/4cwlp; www.x.com/cwlp_) and Instagram @cwlp__ for all #drinkilngwaterweek updates.