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Water Utility Manager Retires After 30 Years of Service
Richard “Dick” Lorenz retired in February from the City of Westerville after a 30-year career providing safe, clean water for those who live, work and enjoy Westerville.
More than three decades ago, Lorenz started his profession with a specialty in the study of freshwater lakes. But he spent the better part of his career as a Class IV Operator of Westerville’s Water Plant, applying his knowledge, training and experience to the environmental sciences that contribute to an affordable and reliable municipal water system.
Lorenz’s career path was influenced by the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the 1970s when he was still in high school. His interest in science and the EPA’s establishment of safe drinking and clean water acts defined his ambition to obtain biology and environmental biology degrees focused on water quality.
He started with research grants to study Great Lakes’ algae and worked at the Columbus Division of Water as a microbiologist; later managing the biological/ environmental section of the utility. After passing his state water test to become a water operator, he moved into the Westerville position he held until this year.
In this role, Lorenz’s contributions have been invaluable. Westerville’s reputation for exceptional water quality, treatment and distribution is attributable to his leadership.
In 2016, the Water Plant underwent the first major capacity or quality improvement in more than 40 years. The modernization and renovation project was initiated to keep pace with regulations, meet the community’s growth and to best serve its residents and businesses.
Lorenz led a three-year, $13.5 million project that added a second filtration process to the existing treatment regimen and replaced the treatment chemical feed systems. The improvements were in compliance with two new EPA drinking water regulations, adding the granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration process step, which has increased in importance with the attention placed on efforts to remove “forever chemicals,” such as PFAS, from public water supplies. Other improvements in chemical systems included switching the disinfectant from chlorine gas to a much safer liquid bleach product.
The project had minimal impact on water rates for consumers due to Lorenz's exemplary management. Westerville remains among the most competitive public water providers in Central Ohio.
Lorenz was a member of the first-ever class of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers, a prestigious certification that establishes the future protocol for the industry. His induction was based on his extensive career accomplishments, published papers and presentations - far beyond a requirement to pass an exam.
He is also the recipient of the George Warren Fuller Award from the American Water Works Association for the state of Ohio. This peer-nominated award recognizes significant, long-term commitment and expertise in engineering and technical expertise in the water industry.
As Lorenz exits the industry into retirement, he anticipates water and its management will become increasingly important as the Central Ohio region continues to grow and develop. As a limited, but renewable resource, water needs to be managed properly for its future sustainability. Lorenz’s contributions to the field have helped advance that effort, particularly in the treatment and distribution to one of the largest suburban communities in Ohio.
