The American Public Works Association (APWA) has awarded the Fox Metro Water Reclamation District its APWA’s 2020 Public Works Project of the Year Award for its recent expansion of its plant along Route 31 just south of Montgomery in Oswego Township.

Located on the west bank of the Fox River for nearly a century, Fox Metro provides wastewater treatment for about 300,000 people in Oswego, Montgomery, Aurora, North Aurora, Sugar Grove, unincorporated Boulder Hill, and portions of Yorkville and Batavia.

Construction on the plant expansion to the south of the agency's existing plant began in 2016. The expanded plant allows Fox Metro to meet revised Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's guidelines governing the processing of phosphorus.

Fox Metro earned the APWA’s 2020 project award in the environment category in the more than $75 million project divison.

Improvements realized by the Fox Metro through the completion of the project last year include: replacing aging infrastructure, reducing combined sewer overflows, meeting phosphorus removal requirement and providing capacity for an increasing population.

“These improvements provide us the opportunity to treat wastewater to a higher level,” said Tom Muth, Fox Metro Water Reclamation District Manager said in a press release, adding, "This project will help improve Fox River water quality and help reduce hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. We are proud to demonstrate our environmental commitment with our capital improvement projects. Our high performing staff has been successfully operating the new facility for over a year.”

“APWA is proud to recognize these important projects that are planned, designed, and constructed to benefit all of the people in their communities. Public works projects are even more important during this time, as our communities face the difficulties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic,” said APWA President William (Bill) Spearman III, P.E. said in the release, adding, “It is always a time of celebration for these winners at PWX and I regret that I will not be able to shake their hands and congratulate them in person. I am extremely proud to associate with members who are willing to go above and beyond to ensure public works serves their communities to the highest degree possible.”

APWA will recognize this year's Project of the Year Award winners in a video posted towww.apwa.net on Aug. 31.

The APWA is a not-for-profit, international organization of more than 30,000 members involved in the field of public works. APWA serves its members by promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy, and the exchange of knowledge. APWA is headquartered in Kansas City, MO, has an office in Washington, D.C., and 63 chapters and 97 branches throughout North America.