Leaving a lasting legacy

The Ohio River is our source water, so “failure in treatment would have caused a regulatory issue and tremendous customer uproar,” said Dr. Rengao Song, Louisville Water’s Interim Director of Water Quality.

In 2005, however, Dr. Song was a manager in the Water Quality & Research Department. Still, he was able to take a leadership role in Louisville Water’s response to the oil spill. “I worked directly with Chief Engineer Greg Heitzman, declared a company-wide emergency, and set up an ad-hoc carbon-feeding system at the Zorn Avenue facility,” Dr. Song said.

The treatment was a success, and Louisville Water received kudos from all over the country.

When Dr. Song retires on October 31, he will leave a long legacy of earning kudos. Of solving problems. Of outstanding research and water science.

“I appreciate all that Rengao has done for Louisville Water,” said President & CEO Spencer Bruce. “He has led many technological improvements in water quality during his time with the organization. He also drove a culture of excellence in both water quality and research that will live on for many years to come.”

Carrying on a rich tradition

Dr. Song grew up in China, where he went to college when he was just 16 and later became an assistant professor. In 1991, he moved to the United States and attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Working on a Ph.D. in environmental science and engineering, he realized it is “very challenging yet critical to have high quality, safe water, and it requires strong and comprehensive knowledge in chemistry, biology, fluid dynamics, data mining, and other fields.”

He could have worked at water utilities in Arizona and New York, but Dr. Song says he was drawn to Louisville because of its “rich research tradition.”

He has carried on that tradition by directing two Ph.D. candidates and several Master of Science students’ research at Louisville Water as well as spearheading a number of research and development projects supported by the Water Research Foundation.

Dr. Song has received many awards and honors throughout his career, including one as co-author on a paper that won the 2020 Samuel Arnold Greeley Award, the highest research paper award from the American Society of Civil Engineers (His Ph.D student was the first author). He also won the best paper award from the Journal of American Water Works Association. In all, he’s published more than 200 peer reviewed papers and/or conference proceedings. He’s also written four book chapters.

In addition to regularly supporting charities and causes in Louisville, he initiated and sponsored an Environmental Chemistry Scholarship at Nankai University in China with a goal of raising 2 million renminbi (about $300,000). Dr. Song said he established the scholarship “to honor my father-in-law, who was a pioneer in environmental chemistry in China.”

Establishing a new legacy

At Louisville Water, Dr. Song has mentored and trained a top water quality team, establishing a culture in which only 100 percent regulatory compliance is acceptable. He often preaches that we can’t tell our customers that the water they drank yesterday was bad and we want to do a recall. Louisville’s water has twice been ranked as best tasting in the country during his tenure.

Scientist Emily Fritz said, “I have spent a majority of my 20-plus years working for Dr. Song. From the beginning, he demanded 100 percent execution for compliance. This evolved into a culture shift where maintaining 100 percent compliance for drinking water was the absolute minimum requirement — as it should be — while constantly setting the bar higher.”

“Almost every January, you could count on changes rolling out that would continually optimize water treatment, as well as our department’s structure and individual goals,” Fritz added. “Dr. Song never stopped thinking on how water quality, this company, or individuals could be better. Under his leadership, he gave every individual opportunity and guidance to learn and advance. Sometimes it was a gentle nudge; while other times it really forced us to get out of our comfort zone and challenge ourselves. For that, I will always be deeply grateful. He served as a great example in giving of time and treasure to others.”

“I would like to thank Rengao for what he has done for the organization,” said Tim Kraus, Vice President of Production Operations and Chief Engineer. “Rengao has so much passion for the company, the employees, and our mission to provide the highest water quality to our customers. He will have a long-term impact on the company by challenging us to be our best.”

“When I came to Louisville Water in 1999, I didn’t know anything about water quality,” said Kelley Dearing Smith, Vice President of Communications and Marketing. “That changed when I met Rengao in our orientation class. We instantly began talking, and I began learning. Rengao has a gift of taking the most complicated issue and explaining the science behind it in a way that our customers — and me — can understand. His diligence and passion for improvement has made a lasting impact on Louisville Water and the health of our community.”

Dr. Song said every day has been “a good day for me at Louisville Water. I’ve been able to utilize my whole education to do what I love, and I’ve been able to work with great team members and colleagues. When I get home and park my car, I always reflect for a few seconds on how blessed I am for being able to make a contribution to the Louisville community.”

Planning an active retirement

Dr. Song plans to continue making significant community contributions during his retirement.

“My goal and activities will focus on mentoring and supporting individuals who are willing to make a difference,” he said. “The rationale is that, over a lifetime, those individuals will propagate as each invests in others — so the impact can be multiplied.I have witnessed great results and positive outcomes from this approach. I will also volunteer my time to help small to medium water utilities in Kentucky to optimize their water treatment and improve water quality. Finally, I have a lot to learn, and the world is changing so fast. In another words, the only thing doesn’t change is change itself. It is always my dream to pursue business opportunities. So I will set up and lead a couple of companies and donate portions of the profits to help those individuals who deserve to be helped.”

“To help and see others’ successes is what I am looking forward to the most,” Dr. Song added. “It is a responsibility for me at my age, and I feel extremely lucky that I am able to do it.”