New Brunswick Water Utility Director Honored With Statewide Award

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - New Brunswick’s Water Utility Director Alexei “Lex” Walus and his team at the New Brunswick Water Utility were recently lauded by statewide water utility officials.

During the annual New Jersey American Water Works Association conference in Atlantic City on March 21-24, Walus was presented with the AWWA’s Operator’s Meritorious Service Award for 2023.

The award recognized the longtime water utility director “for outstanding accomplishments and service in providing a quality water supply to the public and dedication in leadership in the water industry.”

In a statement provided by the city, Walus says he credits his decades of training and experience for the award.

“I’ve been doing this since 1985,” Walus said. “People like me had an advantage of being involved in every aspect of the operation of a water utility where we touched everything and did everything. Monday you were cutting the grass, Tuesday you were painting fire hydrants, Wednesday you were reading meters. As the complexities of running a water utility grew, it has become more difficult for some to really become proficient in many of the areas of a utility.”

Mayor Jim Cahill noted Walus’ ambition and dedication to the community.

“Lex’s extensive training, experience, and tireless work ethic have led the City’s efforts in creating a next generation water utility that focuses on the latest technologies to serve our residents and customers”, Cahill said.