City Times Staff

The Village of Whiting has earned a state nod for excellence in water.

The village, and its director of public works, Nicholas Schmeiser, have won the 2016 Small Systems Excellence Award. The award was presented by the Wisconsin Section of the American Water Works Association (WIAWWA), during its annual conference in Madison last month.

The award recognizes the “challenges and achievements of small water systems in Wisconsin,” a news release from WIAWWA reads in part.

“Small Systems” are defined as those serving populations of 10,000 people or less. Whiting serves a population of about 1,700.

“The Whiting Water Utility was noted as having an excellent comprehensive cross connection program, private well program and preventive maintenance programs,” the release reads. “The record systems are exemplary and the operators take great pride in their utility.”

The Village of Whiting has seen its share of difficulties, including the loss of a major water-using industry when New Page Paper Mill closed its doors.

Despite the loss of that major revenue stream, according to the release, the village’s staff “continue to provide excellent service to its customers.”

Some of the metrics by which Whiting was measured against include quality of water produced, compliance with drinking water regulations and code requirements, water system operation and maintenance, water accountability and financial integrity.

*This story will be updated.