After 50 years of service, Marty Hoffert will retire from Newton WaterWorks this May. From floods to drought to being snowed in at the treatment plant, Hoffert has worked to keep Newton’s water system safe.
Hoffert grew up in Newton, graduating from Newton High School in 1970. Just a year later, after a semester at Indian Hills Community College in Centerville, Iowa, he began working at Newton WaterWorks. He was one of the youngest Grade IV water treatment operators in the state of Iowa. He was promoted to his current role as Water Treatment Plant Superintendent in July 1986.
During his time with Newton WaterWorks, Hoffert has seen many changes at the treatment facility; including going from manual logging of water and chemical levels to the current electronic Scada system that monitors the water from the well fields, through the treatment plant, pumps and to the water towers and clear wells.
During his tenure, Hoffert was awarded the George Warren Fuller Award in 2016. The award is given by to an American Water Works Association Sections’ member for their distinguished service to the water supply field in commemoration of the sound engineering skill, brilliant diplomatic talent, and the constructive leadership which characterized the life of George Warren Fuller.
Newton WaterWorks also received the Best Tasting Water in Iowa Award in 2008 and 2014 from the Iowa Section AWWA which is awarded annually to recognize the public water supply with the best tasting water in the state.
Hoffert has also been an integral part of the Newton community, coaching various sports including Little League, softball, soccer and volleyball as well as being president of the Newton Rotary and Newton Athletics Booster Club and serving on the Board of Directors for Advantage Credit Union. He also served his community in many capacities in roles on the AWWA Chair Operators Certification Committee, Utilities Committee, City of Newton Safety Committee, Iowa Section Residuals Committee, and was the Chair of Joint Certification committee.
Newton WaterWorks is hosting an open house for Hoffert’s retirement on Monday, May 24 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at their office located at 101 W 4th St S; Newton, Iowa 50208.
