Engineering Week is about the projects that stay with you long after construction is complete. For Paul Zouski, PE, Senior Electrical Engineer in our Wausau, Wisconsin, office, that project is the Wausau Drinking Water Treatment Facility.
“I have to drink the water that comes out of the plant,” Paul said.
As someone who lives in the community the plant serves, the work carried a different kind of responsibility. This was not just about power distribution and generators; it was about ensuring safe, reliable water for his neighbors and his own family.
Paul approaches every project with the same level of care and accountability, regardless of location. Whether he is designing systems for a neighboring community or one mile away, he understands that people depend on that work. Designing a facility that serves his own home community simply made that responsibility more personal.
A Once-in-a-Generation Investment
The City of Wausau Waterworks Utility began planning a new municipal potable water treatment plant after challenges with the existing facility made long-term improvements necessary. The new Drinking Water Treatment
Construction of the Wausau Drinking Water Treatment Facility in Wausau, WI
Facility and Administration Building represented a significant investment in public health and system reliability.
“You don’t get to do a lot of brand-new facilities like this,” Paul shared. “On average, they only build them every 50 years. Typically, we are working on existing systems with limitations. It was cool to start from scratch.”
Clark Dietz provided electrical consulting and engineering services for the design of the new Drinking Water Treatment Facility and Administration Building, working as a subconsultant to Becher-Hoppe Associates. The project began in 2019 and was constructed in 2021. Electrical upgrades to the existing wells were also included as part of the overall improvements.
Starting with a clean slate allowed the team to design systems intentionally for long-term performance, reliability, and future operational needs.
Electrical Engineering for Lasting Reliability
Dual Generators at the Wausau Drinking Water Treatment Facility in Wausau, WI
Clark Dietz evaluated the existing facility and developed electrical design solutions to support the new treatment plant, ensuring consistent operation and lasting efficiency.
Clark Dietz’s services included utility coordination and load analysis, along with the design of site electrical systems, power distribution systems, lighting, and fire alarm systems. The team also coordinated with the designers of the communications and security systems. Clark Dietz prepared detailed electrical drawings and specifications and participated in design workshops to coordinate closely with the broader consultant team. During bidding, the team provided support by responding to contractor questions and clarifying design intent.
Through this process, the team developed a comprehensive understanding of the facility’s electrical infrastructure, operational requirements, and integration needs.
The project also included some unique elements. The facility features two generators designed to operate in parallel, providing redundancy and helping ensure uninterrupted service during power outages. For a public utility facility, that level of reliability is essential.
“It had some neat, rarer electrical elements,” Paul said. “Having two generators operating in parallel adds redundancy and helps ensure uninterrupted service.”
Because multiple consultants were involved, including firms that are often competitors, coordination was extensive.
“It was great working alongside other consultants,” Paul explained. “You get to see different approaches and thought processes. There was a lot of coordination to make sure every detail was covered.”
Construction moved forward in 2021, and from an electrical standpoint, the project progressed smoothly.
Why This Project Stands Out
While the technical scope was significant, the personal connection made this project unforgettable. During the course of the project, Paul and his wife welcomed their newborn son into their family. Knowing that the facility he helped design would provide drinking water to his child for years to come added deeper meaning to the work.
“It was important,” he said. “He is going to drink this water for his whole life.”
The new facility represents a lasting investment in the health and future of the Wausau community.
“It is all brand new. We will be good for a long period of time.”
Why Engineering?
Paul’s path to engineering began with a simple realization: he was good at math. Growing up in a small community, engineering was suggested as a way to combine his strength in math with hands-on problem-solving. Electrical engineering allowed him to continue learning about topics that interested him in shop classes and work with systems he could physically build and wire.
A tour of a factory with a relative who worked in engineering sparked his interest even further.
After earning his degree from the University of Wisconsin–Platteville, Paul began his career in design-build electrical contracting, primarily on commercial buildings. Eventually, he wanted to broaden his expertise and move closer to the Wausau area.
“At Clark Dietz, I have learned a ton and worked on a lot of different types of projects.”
That curiosity and commitment to growth continue to guide his work today.
Engineering Quality of Life
Wausau Drinking Water Treatment Facility in Wausau, WI
The Wausau Drinking Water Treatment Facility is more than a building; it is infrastructure that protects public health and supports daily life in the community.
For Paul, it is also a reminder of why he became an engineer. Engineering is about solving problems. It is about building systems that operate reliably for decades. And sometimes, it is about knowing the work you do today will serve your own family tomorrow.
Read More:
ACEC WI Best of State Engineering Excellence Award – Donohue/Becher-Hoppe team
