Staff Spotlight: Mike Popko, Superintendent of Water Facilities

This December marks an epic milestone for Superintendent of Water Facilities Mike Popko, who will celebrate twenty years with the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission (SWSC). Over the past two decades, Mike has seen extraordinary changes in the water treatment field—and is now playing a crucial role in one of the most transformative projects in the Commission’s history: the construction of the new West Parish Water Treatment Plant (WTP).

Mike Popko, Superintendent of Water Facilities, in the new Backwash Facility at West Parish

Balancing Daily Operations with Construction Preparation

Mike not only oversees the labor and maintenance staff at West Parish and Borden Brook Reservoir, but also coordinates and schedules workflows—which requires deep technical knowledge as well as the ability to balance complex logistical constraints. Mike and his team are currently focusing on prepping buildings for demolition, disconnecting slow sand filter equipment no longer in service, and marking utilities for ongoing excavation work. At the same time, the team continues to maintain the day-to-day functions of running a treatment facility.

The Power of Teamwork

One of the most rewarding aspects of this project, according to Mike, has been collaborative teamwork. “It takes all departments’ and groups’ knowledge working together to plan in advance, anticipating what could be affected and how to minimize that disruption,” Mike notes. A recent success involved isolating one of the transmission mains to allow a critical core drilling operation. The seamless shutdown and startup process was made possible by the coordinated efforts of operators, lab staff, and the labor crew.

Preparing for Critical Tie-Ins

As construction picks up in the spring, Mike and his team are focused on preparing critical tie-ins. Walsh, the construction team, will need to reroute finished water transmission mains without disrupting the plant’s finished water supply, while also navigating a web of existing and abandoned underground utilities. This logistical challenge demands precision and teamwork, and Mike remains in constant communication with the project’s key stakeholders—Hazen and Sawyer, Walsh Construction, and SWSC staff. Weekly coordination meetings, as well as frequent site visits, ensure that everyone stays aligned on schedules and progress.

Proud to Be Part of History

With years of planning finally coming to fruition, Mike is proud to be part of this historic moment for the Commission. “It is a very exciting and challenging time.  I am eager to watch the new plant be built from the ground up, and learn how to run and maintain it,” he shares. “I’m proud to be a part of this addition to our system’s history.”

Mike Popko speaks with a member of the public during the Open House at West Parish Filters to celebrate the groundbreaking on October 16, 2024