CIVIL ENGINEERING AND DESIGN FOR MUNICIPAL AND PUBLIC PROJECTS 

In 2022, Trotter and Associates, Inc. completed an assessment of the Village of Algonquin’s Braewood Lift Station. The primary improvements focused on increasing the station’s capacity to handle the rapid growth in both the Braewood Lift Station service area and the upstream Grand Reserve Lift Station service area. With the increased capacity of the station, the velocity through the existing 10-inch force main exceeded allowable limits. To address this, a 16-inch force main was included in the design, which was constructed in 2024.  With the force main constructed, the station rehabilitation has commenced. Work within the station includes upsizing the piping and pumps, replacing the grinder, and improving both the electrical and HVAC systems. Upon completion of the work, the pumping capacity of the station will be increased from 1,500 gallons per minute (GPM) to 5,000 GPM, allowing the Village to meet both current and future development demands.

Trotter and Associates, Inc. recently completed a Wastewater Treatment Plant Consolidation Study for the Village of Addison. As a result of the study, the Village elected to fully consolidate their facilities in lieu of doing a partial consolidation or rehabilitating and upgrading their existing treatment facilities. For constructability and financing advantages, the consolidation was separated into three phases. The Trotter team has begun developing the improvements for the first phase, which includes upgrading and expanding the North Wastewater Treatment Plant. Upon completing all three phases, this facility will process all wastewater flows from within the Village. Phase one includes construction of a 44,500 square foot Garage/Laboratory/Operations Building, Screening Building, Advanced Treatment Building (low-P treatment basins, tertiary filters, and UV disinfection), and excess flow clarifiers. In addition to these new structures, the following existing processes will be improved: upgrades to the grit removal system, rehabilitation of the primary and final clarifiers, rehabilitation and expansion of the aerobic digestion process and digester gas storage, and expansion of the biological process, which includes conversion from a two-stage extended aeration process to a single-stage A2O process. Construction is planned to begin in 2026 and continue into 2030.

Previously, Trotter and Associates completed a Wastewater Facility Master Plan for the Village of Roselle’s Joseph L Devlin Wastewater Treatment Facility. The plan identified four essential projects: Plant Expansion and Phosphate Removal, Grit Removal Rehabilitation, Secondary Clarifier Replacement, and UV Disinfection Conversion. Each project identified above is interrelated and will allow the facility to meet new regulations, support Village growth, and upgrade aging infrastructure. To provide the village with the best financial and operational benefit, these projects were combined into one WWTF Plant Expansion and Nutrient Removal Upgrades project. With preliminary engineering complete, the Trotter team is working on the final design documents for the project. This phase is expected to be wrapped up in the first quarter of 2026, with bidding and construction to follow. 

Illinois American Water engaged Trotter and Associates, Inc. to assist in relocating their water main due to the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) widening of Route 31, north of Route 176. The relocation was routed adjacent to IAW’s existing wastewater treatment plant. ComEd, Nicor, and telecom utilities have either completed or are in the process of relocating their respective utilities. Stenstrom Companies Ltd completed the construction of the Illinois American Water main. The project is substantially complete, pending favorable weather conditions and the maturation of landscaping elements. 

To facilitate IDOT’s proposed widening of Illinois Route 53 at Butterfield Road, Illinois American Water was required to relocate several of its facilities within IDOT’s right-of-way. Illinois American Water retained Trotter and associates to design the relocation of a quarter mile of sanitary sewer, over a mile of water main, and a water pressure reducing station. These utility relocations are expected to begin within the next several months. 

The City of Sycamore and Trotter and Associates are continuing to improve the rehabilitation of the City’s water distribution system. This project in conjunction with those previously completed and planned will improve City-wide fire flows, pressures and water quality. The 2025 Water Main Improvements project includes upsizing the system in this area from 4-inch, 6-inch and 8-inch water main to 8-inch and 10-inch, as well as replacing mains that are prone to breaks. In conjunction with the main replacements all lead water services encountered will be replaced to the customer’s water meter.

The City of North Chicago's Foss Park Underpass and Retaining Wall Improvement Project is nearing completion. This section of Foss Park Avenue is a critical access point for AbbVie Pharmaceuticals, the FBI Training Facility, Foss Park District amenities, West Rock Corporation, and Naval Station Great Lakes, so time was of the essence. The contractor achieved substantial completion within seven weeks. This $550,000 project included reconstructing 800 feet of the roadway and all associated curbs, sidewalks, and storm sewer. The roadway section under the Chicago Northwestern Railroad underpass was improved from an HMA pavement section to a 10-inch PCC-reinforced pavement section. Areas along the route were also reprofiled to improve drainage. To replace a failing stone wall along a portion of the corridor, a 130-foot modular block retaining wall was installed. The remaining parkway restoration and HMA surface course placement is expected to be completed in Spring 2025.

Liz Heise, P.E., TAI Project Manager, attended the 2025 Winter Water Environment Federation (WEF) Meeting in Virginia last week. The meeting allowed WEF’s volunteer committees to convene and collaborate on the programming for WEFTEC—WEF’s annual Technical Exhibition Conference. Liz is also active in the WEF’s Springboard Program, an initiative designed to empower young professionals in the water management sector. The Springboard Program provides opportunities for emerging leaders to drive innovation and help shape the future of our industry. TAI is proud to support our team’s involvement in professional organizations, such as the Water Environment Federation (WEF).

Trotter and Associates, Inc.’s Scott Trotter, P.E., BCEE, and Eric Davenport participated in the Wisconsin Rural Water Association’s (WRWA) 37th Annual Technical Conference in Green Bay, WI, from March 25 to 28, 2025. The TAI team enjoyed connecting with professionals dedicated to improving water management in their communities.  The WRWA supports rural and small municipalities by providing technical assistance and training. The conference engaged attendees through forums, networking opportunities, and a variety of educational sessions focused on best practices and new technologies for operating and maintaining water and wastewater systems. Trotter and Associates, Inc. was both an exhibitor and a proud sponsor of the conference.

Scott Trotter, P.E. and Jerry Ruth, P.E. from Trotter & Associates, Inc. (TAI) are attending the Illinois Wastewater Professionals Conference (IWPC) in East Peoria this week! Stop by Booth #45 to discuss how TAI can assist with your wastewater treatment challenges. Our team is ready to share insights, solutions, and innovative approaches to help you navigate the complexities of wastewater management.