Someone Who Understands the Meaning of Dedication and Service

Illinois American Water customers can rely on continuous water service, thanks to hard-working employees such as Juan Sanchez. Juan works as a production technician in the company’s Peoria District. In this role, he—along with other technicians—helps maintain and repair water pumps, chemical pumps and electrical systems in local water plants and booster substations.

“We help maintain the production plants and fix any problems that we get,” says Juan. He explains that this involves doing plumbing, electrical work and any necessary troubleshooting. The benefit of all of this behind-the-scenes work is nonstop water service, “to make sure that we don’t shut down,” he explains. In fact, Juan says that is the aspect of his job from which he gets the most satisfaction—in his words, “making sure that we service people so they are never out of water.”

Juan began working for Illinois American Water over a quarter century ago, in 1989. Prior to that, he dedicated ten years to the U.S. Navy—first serving on a guided missile destroyer for four years, and then committing to another four years as a reservist. During that decade of military tenure, Juan gained a lot of valuable experience working with water pumps and boilers. That experience is what led him to his first job at Illinois American Water. “They were looking for somebody with experience in water pumps,” he recalls. Juan got the job and then worked as a plant operator for the next eleven years, before moving into his current position as a production technician.

When he is working, Juan serves Illinois American Water customers with the same passion as he had when he served our country. And he knows how to persevere through tough conditions. For example, over the years, he has witnessed periods of both drought and flooding in the local area—all of which had an impact on the local water system. “During the record flooding three years ago, we worked 12-hour shifts (three 12-hour shifts a day that overlapped), just trying to make sure that nothing flooded,” Juan remembers. “Where we needed to keep the water out, we kept it out.” Juan says he and other employees worked long hours while dealing with the threat of flooding. “I went from working 8:00 to 4:30 to going on third shift, just to make sure that everything stayed up and running so we wouldn’t have any water interruption.”

An Enthusiastic Volunteer at Local Events

Juan, who is a Peoria resident, enjoys giving back to the local community. Every year, he volunteers at the annual March Madness Experience™ and Taste of Peoria events, as a representative of Illinois American Water. “I make sure people can enjoy water while they are there,” he says.

Juan is a U.S. Navy veteran who dedicated several years of service to our country prior to joining Illinois American Water.

Juan also enjoys being involved with the Boy Scouts (his son is a scout), as well as going fishing and camping with his family.

A Proud Employee of Illinois American Water

“I am proud to work for the company,” Juan says. “They serve their customers very well, making sure that the water customers get from their tap is safe at all times.” Juan says that high level of safety—combined with continuous water service—is why people can be confident that Illinois American Water is managing the local water system. “They take pride in taking care of their customers,” he states.

In addition, he appreciates how the company invests in the local water system’s infrastructure. “They did a big multi-million dollar investment at the local plant a couple years ago. And they’re going to do electrical upgrades next year, to do away with the old electrical system that’s there.”

Juan, like many of his coworkers, is a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399, and he says Illinois American Water is a good employer. “It’s a good place to work,” he says. “They provide me with good benefits and it’s a good atmosphere to work in.” Juan says he also appreciates the fact that the company emphasizes diversity. “This place does not discriminate,” he explains. “And, you know, diversity is a big thing in a company. You always will have diversity.”

Juan also is quick to point out the close ties that Illinois American Water has with local residents. “The company benefits the community by raising money for several charitable organizations,” he explains.

With so many favorable opinions of Illinois American Water, Juan is firmly against the idea of the City of Peoria taking over the local water system. “I don’t think the City can run the water system,” he asserts. “They ought to leave that to the people who have been doing it for over one hundred years. And I’m saying that as a citizen of Peoria!”

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However, his perspective as an employee also sheds light on the subject. “We provide customers the best water every day, we take care of our equipment, and we make sure the water is safe,” states Juan. In contrast, city leaders view the water system differently, he says. “They only look at the water system as a prospect for revenue. But they don’t know how much it takes to run it.” He thinks city leaders should, instead, focus on other topics, such as education.