PROVIDERS OF RELIABLE WATER SERVICE

When we turn on a faucet, we expect a strong flow of clear, safe water. We understand that such water is delivered to our faucet through a system of underground pipes and some kind of treatment facility. Reliable, safe water service, however, requires more than unseen infrastructure. Behind that infrastructure are numerous unseen men and women who design, install, operate and maintain the pipes, pumps and treatment facilities that make reliable water service possible. Perhaps we tend to take these people for granted much as we may take good water service for granted.

I want to highlight four of these people. I have worked extensively with each through my career and have learned much from each of them.

Bill was a civil engineer and head of a one hundred year old engineering firm. He worked at a roll top desk from 1880, and his office had the aura of time standing still to match. However, Bill was an expert in water system design. He designed water facilities for major cities as well as small communities. He lectured on water issues not only in the united States but internationally as well. Bill also was an expert on ratemaking. In one of my trials, he deftly explained complex rate concepts to the judge in an understandable manner.

Bob also was a civil engineer, but he followed a different path that led him to becoming president of a large investor-owned water utility. Bob took great pride in the quality of the utility's operations and the quality of the water it provided. His water earned several taste awards. Bob worked hard to foster and maintain good relations with the communities he served. For example, in one rate case field hearing held by the regulatory agency to hear customer concerns, no customers even attended. Bob also successfully sought to bring his good water service to nearby communities whose own water systems had become inadequate or unreliable. Indeed, one of his pipe lines is some 30 miles in length.

Phil was the general manager of a regional water supply public agency. During his long career with his agency, he facilitated expansion of the water treatment facilities, development of a new source of supply, computerized operations to generate operational efficiencies, and maintained water quality that met applicable standards. Phil had great faith in people, and he managed his small staff consistent with that faith.

Ed was an accountant for a large investor-owned water utility having systems in several states. He developed financial and accounting statements to show cost of service requirements for rate cases as well as for operations. To be able to provide reliable and efficient water service, a utility must have an understanding of its costs to provide such service and its corresponding revenue requirements. Ed had an uncanny ability to grasp the meat of an economic or financial issue and to demonstrate solutions through his accounting statements and testimony.

What do these men all have in common? They dedicated their careers to providing safe, reliable water service. They were gentlemen, who treated others with respect. They have passed but are not forgotten.