New Evansville Water and Sewer Utility (EWSU) Executive Director Vic Kelson is stepping in right when the utility is planning a new, approaching $300 million water treatment plant.
They’re about 30-percent done designing the project and are working with state regulators as material prices increase — but he actually thinks the whole process is pretty fun.
“It's thrilling to have an opportunity like this, working on so many important projects all at the same time,” Kelson said. “In this world, you don't get to build a water plant very often; it's really exciting to be a part of that.”
Kelson is coming from the City of Bloomington as Utilities Director. He said he always wanted to work for a larger utility, with the benefit of living downtown and biking to work.
“That's really the kind of lifestyle I was looking for at this point. And so it's a thrill to be here. I really liked the town, and I'm not saying that to be nice. I really do like the town a lot.”
Kelson was one of new Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry’s many appointments. He’s taking over for Lane Young who was appointed by then-Mayor Lloyd Winnecke.
Young had a background in economics.
Kelson’s job is to oversee the water and sewer utility and its various division leaders as they manage their individual programs. He answers questions and keeps communication flowing through the organization.
Kelson is able to connect with staff about the technical side of the business as an environmental scientist and a chemical engineer.
“Sometimes I'll come in with a question that someone who didn't have my background, wouldn't have asked," he said. "So if I were a finance person, I'd be naturally inclined to ask finance questions. But I'm a science and engineering person. So I naturally asked science and engineering questions.”
He oversees people like Plant Superintendent Brenda Caudill. In the water quality testing lab, Kelson was speaking with Caudill about acronyms and shorthand for chemical names, and how it came up in prior meeting.
“During that conversation, there was kind of a big joke going on about not being able to keep track of all the different chemicals that we were dealing with in the conversations,” Kelson said. “All the acronyms will drive you crazy in this business.”
Specifically they discussed the difference between coagulant poly aluminum chloride, and powdered activated carbon for taste and odor control, and what shorthand they should use for each. (PAC vs PACL)
Regarding the new water plant, Kelson said it will be about 60-percent designed in May. At the same time they are working to expand their borrowing capacity by another $25 million beyond the current approved amount of $259 million.
He said high inflation affected these large capital projects along with high materials and construction costs. They’ve been redoing the design of the plant, and reevaluating the necessary financing.
They’re working on a plan that would re-use certain facilities to save money, and bolster the bill relief program for low-income customers.
The EWSU just reminded system customers that the first increase is coming.
He expects construction to start by the end of the year.
An even bigger project will be separating the storm sewers from the sanitary sewers. Right now they’re combined in most of the city. He said the EWSU is nine years into a 24-year plan.
“It will probably take longer than that,” he said. “But eventually, the goal is to remove almost all of the combined sewage that makes it to the river.”
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