Van Der Kamp named 2023 Community Operator of the Year

The Iowa Rural Water Association is pleased to announce that Carl Van Der Kamp with the City of Prairie City has been named the 2023 Community Operator of the Year. Van Der Kamp’s award was announced during the Iowa Rural Water Association’s 49th Annual Conference at the Veteran’s Memorial Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in February.

Van Der Kamp was a water treatment and distribution grade 2 operator responsible for a nitrate removal water treatment plant in Prairie City. He was also a grade 3 Wastewater operator responsible for a SBR Wastewater Treatment Plant. He has worked in Prairie City for 23 years and just recently retired. During his tenure he trained multiple city clerks, administrators, and operators.

When the city went from an aerated lagoon facility to a grade 3 mechanical plant, Van Der Kamp accelerated his accumulation of CEUs to prepare him for the grade 3 Wastewater exam to ensure the City had a properly certified operator for the new SBR. He also became the operator in charge of the water treatment plant.