Through more than a decade of partnership, Woodard & Curran has helped St. Charles improve the reliability and performance of its water and wastewater systems while protecting critical public investments. By combining operations, engineering, infrastructure planning, resilience initiatives, and community-focused improvements, the City has been able to address immediate operational needs while preparing for future growth. The result is a stronger, more resilient utility system that continues to support residents, businesses, and the broader community.
As St. Charles experienced significant population growth and invested heavily in its water and wastewater infrastructure, it sought a partner that could help protect those investments while maintaining reliable service and planning for future needs. The City chose Woodard & Curran to operate the City’s two wastewater treatment facilities, which serve more than 72,000 residents and businesses. From the outset, the focus was on maintaining regulatory compliance, preserving institutional knowledge, and ensuring a smooth transition for both staff and the community. The team retained the existing workforce, successfully navigated union negotiations, implemented training and safety programs, and established long-term planning processes to guide future investments. The City realized approximately $300,000 in savings during the first year of the contract, and over time have added a fats, oils, and grease reduction program; additional lift stations; and other responsibilities to Woodard & Curran’s scope.
The operations team for St. Charles received the 10-year Platinum Peak Performance Award from __________ for 10 consecutive years without a permit violation. As Dave Kitzmiller, Woodard & Curran O&M Operations Leader said, “This recognition would not be possible without the dedication of our team members, both current and former, who operated and maintained the facility over the years, as well as the partnership and support of the City of St. Charles.”
Woodard & Curran also helped the City resolve several operational challenges throughout its wastewater collection system. Evaluations of lift stations identified opportunities to improve reliability, reduce maintenance issues, and better align facilities with current standards. At the Sandfort Creek Lift Station, targeted upgrades successfully resolved persistent pump performance issues and improved operational efficiency. At the New Town Vacuum Pump Station, the team investigated recurring odor complaints and developed a long-term odor-control solution designed to improve quality of life for nearby residents and businesses. Additional system assessments helped the City better understand asset conditions and prioritize future capital investments.
A major component of the partnership involved modernizing the City’s aging SCADA, monitoring, and control infrastructure. Following a comprehensive assessment, Woodard & Curran developed and implemented a multi-year improvement program that upgraded communications systems, improved connectivity between treatment plants and remote facilities, and standardized operating platforms across the utility network. These improvements gave operators greater visibility into system performance, improved reliability, and strengthened resilience during severe weather and other unexpected events, all while maintaining uninterrupted service to customers.
To support future growth, Woodard & Curran helped the City with the design, construction, and public outreach required for a new two-million-gallon elevated water storage tank. The project increased storage capacity and strengthened the City’s ability to meet future water demands. Just as importantly, it transformed a former industrial property into a community asset and public green space. Extensive public engagement helped address neighborhood concerns and ensure the final project reflected community priorities.
Recognizing the need to prepare for emerging risks, the City asked Woodard & Curran to complete a Risk and Resilience Assessment under the America’s Water Infrastructure Act. The assessment identified critical assets, evaluated vulnerabilities, quantified potential impacts, and established priorities for future improvements. The resulting roadmap provides City leaders with a practical framework for directing investments toward projects that strengthen system reliability, reduce risk, and improve preparedness for both physical and cybersecurity threats.
Beyond utility operations, Woodard & Curran partnered with the City to address recurring flooding that threatened homes and infrastructure near downtown St. Charles. Through engineering analysis, alternatives evaluation, and design development, the team identified improvements that would reduce flood risk, protect public infrastructure, limit erosion, and improve environmental conditions.