2024 Inspiring Woman of Wastewater

What does a typical day look like for you on the job?

I manage the daily operations at our wastewater treatment plant. I supervise 9 employees who staff our plant 24×7. I prioritize and direct the work that our operations staff performs each day. I evaluate plant data recorded by operations staff and the lab to determine how our plant is functioning. If changes in operations need to be made, I talk through those changes with our staff to get them implemented. I communicate with our maintenance crew to get equipment repairs scheduled and to plan preventative I’m also responsible for generating compliance reports. I facilitate the Industrial Pretreatment Program and generate compliance reports.

How do you think being a woman has affected your experience in this industry?

When attending wastewater conferences or meetings early in my career, there were very few women. Typically, the women I encountered were engineers, rather than operators. This has changed significantly over the last 5-10 years. There are many more women emerging in the wastewater field, and I am meeting more women like me, who are operators and supervisors.

I have been extremely fortunate in my career to be mentored by two fantastic men. They have guided me and celebrated my successes in the wastewater industry. In addition, because I have been in the field for a number of years as one of the only women, I have forged many friendships with the men (and women) who have surrounded me in my career. They have become my professional network.

What would you want to tell the public about your job that they might not know?

I don’t think the public fully recognizes the critical impact wastewater operators make in their communities. I try to convey to the public when given the chance that Operators are true environmentalists who work very hard, often times in unpleasant conditions, to take care of waste generated by the public. The job of a wastewater operator is just as important as any other utility worker.

“If we are unhappy with our jobs, we have only ourselves to blame. I try to create a positive work environment for myself and others. If I’m unhappy in a situation, I must make changes to improve it. This is true for the workplace and life in general.”

Lessons from parents/role models that still ring true?

My mom and dad were both hard-working individuals who were able to retire comfortably after successful careers. I certainly inherited their work ethic. My mom achieved great success in a male- dominated environment; so I guess she paved the way for me to do the same!

My current supervisor and mentor reminds me frequently that if we are unhappy with our jobs, we have only ourselves to blame. I try to create a positive work environment for myself and others. If I’m unhappy in a situation, I must make changes to improve it. This is true for the workplace and life in general.

What thing about your career in wastewater has surprised you most?

When I first began my career in wastewater, I was hired to be the Chemist in our plant’s laboratory. I was very comfortable with lab work, but was quickly thrust into learning operations and began studying for wastewater certification. I was surprised then, and continue to be surprised at the wide variety of knowledge a wastewater operator must have. I know a little bit about a lot of things!

What advice would you give other women looking to pursue a career in this field?

I would encourage women to pursue wastewater, either as an engineer, operator, or laboratory professional. It is a sustainable career that is rewarding in many ways. There are opportunities in urban and rural communities, in municipal and industrial settings.

Inspiring Women of Wastewater™

In 2017, Aquafix has launched a new campaign to honor the hardworking female wastewater operators that make up only about 5% of the industry. We want to use our platform to project these voices, and introduce the women of tomorrow to a whole new set of role models. To learn more about the Inspiring Women of Wastewater™ program, and to sign up or nominate another outstanding female operator follow the link below!