By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

Illinois American Water Pontiac Water Treatment Plant recently gained national recognition for its water quality.

The plant and its water team earned the Director’s Award of Recognition from the Partnership for Safe Water for maintaining Phase III certification for 15 years.

Karen Cotton, external affairs manager for Illinois American Water, said this award is a reflection of the employees at the plants.

“We’re really proud of this award. We’re proud of our commitment in these service areas,” Cotton said. “We’ve served Streator and Pontiac for many years. We’ve been serving in Illinois for over a century, so it’s just a part of our commitment to our customers.”

The award will be presented during the 2015 American Water Works Association Annual Conference in Anaheim, California, in July.