The Mid-Major Powerhouse of Wastewater Innovation - FRWRD's Eric Johnson

In this episode of 21st Century Water, we sit down with Eric Johnson, Executive Director of the Fox River Water Reclamation District (FRWRD), to unpack a unique leadership journey and explore a forward-thinking approach to water management. Eric’s path to running a regional wastewater agency is anything but conventional. Starting in public service at age 19 while in college, he transitioned from political roles to township supervisor, then city manager, and eventually into the water sector. What stands out is how he’s brought a legal and administrative mindset into a highly technical domain, focusing on assembling expert teams rather than becoming the technical expert himself.

We dive into the scale and complexity of FRWRD’s operations—three plants serving over 200,000 residents across multiple counties, with a $24 million operating budget and up to $20 million in annual capital projects. Eric walks us through a strategic pivot the agency is undergoing: its first-ever facility master plan. This includes initiatives like implementing a digital twin, improving asset management, and exploring plant consolidation to drive efficiency.

We also talk about regionalization. Eric makes a strong case for consolidating smaller wastewater utilities into regional agencies to improve cost-effectiveness, compliance, and service quality. He cites examples from his own district and explains the political and institutional barriers to broader adoption, highlighting the need for leadership willing to set aside control for the greater good of the community.

Financially, FRWRD recently completed a rate study, aiming to keep costs fair and predictable while balancing regulatory pressures and infrastructure needs. Eric shares how the utility is pursuing alternative revenue streams, including water reuse and solar energy, to reduce the financial burden on ratepayers. He also emphasizes the importance of public communication, using scale, continuity, visibility, and plain language to help people understand the unseen but essential role wastewater infrastructure plays.

Operationally, FRWRD faces challenges with aging infrastructure, rising costs, and a tightening labor market. Eric outlines efforts to modernize the organization—from equipping staff with better technology to launching workforce development partnerships and emphasizing leadership training. His passion for building high-performing, collaborative teams is clear, and he sees talent development as central to his long-term vision.

Eric closes with reflections on legacy. For him, success means advancing regionalization, fostering innovation, and creating an environment where employees thrive—even if that means they eventually move on to bigger roles. He hopes FRWRD becomes known as a forward-thinking, mid-sized agency that others look to for leadership, innovation, and talent.

More:

Fox River Water Reclamation District: https://www.frwrd.com/

Aquasight Website: https://aquasight.io/