Arlington Heights Water Capping Team Heads to Nationals

A team from Public Works will be representing Arlington Heights at the nationals water capping competition at the American Water Works Association (AWWA) in June.

The competition involves a four-man crew who must tap a new water service line - simulating linking a service line to a home - as quickly as possible without having any leaks, Scott Shirley, director of public works said. Water operator teams compete and must follow safety guidelines or they are penalized.

Arlington Heights’s team won the state championship recently with a time of 1 minute 37 seconds with no leaks or penalties, Shirley said.

“They take it pretty serious competition,” Shirley said. “It is fun to watch. It’s a good group of guys.”

Mayor Arlene Mulder recently honored the team, which brought a huge trophy back home.

AWWA is holding its annual conference on June 10 in Denver, Colo.

“It’s a good thing for Arlington Heights,” Shirley said.