Tuesday, December 18, 2018

What It Takes to be a Female DPU Engineer

Susan Hamilton attended a career fair when she was 13 and identified with a vendor there. “He looked like me. He was a civil engineer and built bridges.”

They talked about the requirements for becoming an engineer and he told her she could be “a trail blazer and a role model,” she remembers. There were bridges where she lived in California and she enjoyed math, so she decided to make bridge-building her career.

“That changed when I took a structures class later in school. My interests changed to soils and subsurface construction.”

The greatest obstacle for her was resuming her education after a long break. “I left school in my junior year to travel with my husband, who was in the Army, and I didn’t return to school for 11 years. Then I enrolled in civil engineering and had to retake calculus. I didn’t mind being older than some of the other students. There were other non-traditional students there.”

Her first job after graduation was as a water and sewer utility engineer. “I had a great boss and mentor who taught me what I needed to know to be successful. I now have confidence not to be afraid to ask about what I don’t know, and to share what I do know with others. My professional motto is ‘Leave a community, neighborhood, or project area in better condition than you found it.’”
 

Hamilton is operations manager for Sewer and Stormwater Capital Improvement Projects. 

Janice Bailey’s mother left school early to get married, so she told her children they were definitely finishing college. “I came from a family of teachers. My mother always said, ‘I don’t care how you do it as long as you do the best you can!’”

So she enrolled in Upward Bound, a federally funded educational program, and researched careers. “Engineering had math and science, which I loved. My grandfather was a home builder, including the family home where I was born. I decided to follow in my grandparents’ footsteps and major in engineering.”

She worked numerous side jobs unrelated to engineering, constantly looking for engineering internships. “It’s a competitive and diverse field,” she says, and school was more theory than application. She wanted the hands-on experience.
Finally, she got her start in a large engineering shop designing ship components. “My commute was an hour or longer each way, so I was thinking of trying home renovating, but then I started working in the utility field and that’s become my career.”

Bailey is operations manager for Enterprise Asset Management.

Rosemary Green’s father was an electrical engineer, and she also wanted a “solid career” where she would always be able to support herself.
 

“I was interested in what I could see and touch, understanding why a wall stood and did not fall, or how a roadway was constructed from different points and met accurately in the middle. I was considering architecture, but decided I wasn’t creative enough.”

Her older sister suggested she apply for college as a liberal arts major and then switch majors once she was accepted, so she did and immediately transferred to engineering.
 

“The classes were hard, so you had to plug away day by day. My first roommate was applying to veterinary school, so she was always studying, too.”
 

Green has 10 siblings, so helping with school expenses was another consideration. “I signed up for the co-op program which solidified that I was on the right career path. I really liked being around construction and people who were solving problems.”

Eager to start her career now, she was pleasantly surprised to find companies were eager to hire female engineers. “I was getting two or three interviews for every one that my male classmates were getting.

“I was given many opportunities, first in engineering and construction for power stations, then in field offices for power distribution groups. I hit the industry at the right time, following advances made by women before me and men who wanted to see women succeed in the field.”

Green is a deputy director and supervises water treatment and distribution, wastewater treatment, engineering services and capital improvement projects.

Amanda Bickel was always interested in how things worked and how they were built. Acquiring her civil engineering degree was her goal. “I was working full-time as a land surveyor and taking evening classes. As a woman and new to engineering, it was initially a challenge as I was not always taken seriously in this field and struggled to find positions where you can have an opinion in the decision-making process.”

Bickel has been with the city three years and is an engineer in gas distribution where she supports design, planning, construction, operation and maintenance.

Surani Olsen chose environmental engineering because she wanted to solve pollution problems. “Because of the visible environmental pollution around Indonesia where I grew up – emissions from buses, cars, and river pollution – I felt clean air, clean water and a clean living environment were our basic needs.”

Her biggest challenge was completing her undergraduate research project at the same time she was working as a tutor to pay for her tuition. Finding an entry level environmental engineering job was the next challenge, as well as passing the professional engineer licensing exams.

Olsen is a project management analyst in Stormwater.

Jennifer Hatchett enjoyed math in high school and loved solving complex problems. “My dad’s friend was an engineer in the wastewater industry and I got interested in engineering talking to him. I interned for him one summer during college.”

Engineering school was a challenge. “There were times I really thought, this is too hard!” she remembered. None of her friends were in engineering, so she had to stay focused. “I was with mostly males in school, which was sometimes daunting. And that was the same issue when I started working. There weren’t many women in the places I worked.”

Hatchett was a project and area manager for a global engineering company, before coming to DPU where she oversees stormwater and wastewater collections.

Sarah Deitz wanted to become an environmental engineer to “apply environmental concepts to improve surrounding communities. I always enjoyed science, and this was a way to apply it in a positive way.” Her biggest challenge was creating a network of mentors in the engineering field. “Having a supportive network is priceless,” she says. A recent hire at DPU, Deitz is an engineer in water resources.

(left) Rosemary Green (top row) Amanda Bickel, Janice Bailey, Susan Hamilton (bottom) Jennifer Hatchett, Sarah Deitz, Surani Olsen

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Citizens Academy Highlights 2018

To view as a slideshow, click on the first photo.














































Our Neigbors Visit the Water Plant

On Imagine a Day Without Water day, Oct. 10, 2018, we invited our neighbors who live around the Water Plant to come in for a tour. We had nearly 40 people register and 32 show up. Here's what we saw!

To view photos as a slide show, click on the first one.

















































Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Make Your Fall Leaves Work for You!

There are things you can do with leaves other than rake them and bag them.

Use them in compost.

Leaf mold is what’s left when you let leaves decompose naturally. It makes the forest smell…like a
forest. Leaf mold improves the soil and its water-holding ability and attracts beneficial organisms like earthworms.

Leaves make excellent mulch, suppress weeds, and feed the soil, but shred them first, as just a thick layer of wet leaves will form a solid mat and block water and air from getting to the soil. But when you shred them, they settle into the ground easier. When you first put down a layer of shredded leaves, hose them down thoroughly so they won’t blow away.

Stack leaves around plants and small trees for insulation.

Mow the leaves with your lawn mower and leave them on the lawn to feed the grass. The new wisdom about leaves is that this is the best and wisest thing to do.

If you’re going to rake, invest in a quality, ergonomic rake. Move your legs as well as your arms to reduce back pain. Rake in small sections. Listen to music. Rake downwind. Rake in groups with your whole family so it takes less time.

Only use leaf blowers to dislodge leaves from hard to reach areas, like behind bushes and under decks.

Wait until the trees are nearly bare before you start raking.

Use two garbage pail lids to pick up leaves and bag them.

Minimize how far you move the leaves. Maintain leaf piles in different parts of the yard so you’re not dragging tarps of them any long distances.

Wear gloves when raking to prevent blisters.


Monday, September 10, 2018

Protecting Your Property in a Storm


It’s important that you take steps to prepare your property, locate any insurance documents, and keep receipts for any temporary repairs made. These tips come to us from the Independent Insurance Agents Association.

Before the hurricane:
  1. Locate your insurance policies – name and number of an insurance agent and get their cell phone numbers.
  2. If you are asked to evacuate, stay calm and move out quickly.
  3. Protect your property by boarding up windows and storing outdoor furniture. Recheck manufactured home tie-downs.
  4. Be sure to have on hand a supply of non-perishable food, water, and medication. Keep a full tank of gas in your car.
  5. Make sure your first aid kit is updated and fully supplied.
  6. Have flashlights (with extra batteries) or candles ready, plus a battery-operated radio for latest storm information. Don’t forget to keep an extra battery for your cell phone.
  7. If your property is damaged, make temporary repairs, save receipts and contact your insurance agent immediately.
  8. In the event that telephone service is disrupted, stay tuned to radio and television for further instructions.
After the hurricane:
  1. If there’s damage, contact your insurance agent as soon as possible.
  2. Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage.
  3. Prepare an inventory of all damaged or destroyed personal property.
  4. Take photos of damaged areas.
  5. Save remnants of damaged or destroyed property for your insurance company adjuster.
  6. Meet with your insurance company adjuster first before signing anything with a public adjuster.
  7. Look out for scams. People that show up to repair your property or move trees with an offer that’s too good to be true likely are trying to take advantage of you.

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

DPU Fleet Vehicles Change Over to Richmond Gas Works

The decals identifying vehicles in the Customer Service, Gas Distribution, Energy Services, and Tech Services fleets were rebranded as Richmond Gas Works in August 2018.

There are approximately 160 vehicles of 37 different makes and models and a team from each division worked, along with the decal vendor, to complete an average of 60 vehicles each week.

Planning, coordinating and scheduling the vehicles, along with the staff to transfer them was a complex job. Designing the decals for such a varied fleet was complex with so much variation between makes, models and years of vehicles.

“That was a challenge to take all the differences into consideration when designing so we could produce the minimum number of decal style variations that would work,” said Janie Kaplan, marketing manager for Energy Services.

“We wanted a modern look that doesn’t feel stodgy but also wanted to signal the strength and stability that comes from our rich heritage. The vehicles are day-to-day moving billboards out in the community. It’s a clean, modern, agile, accessible look and each decal includes the customer service phone number and website to reinforce our accessibility and ease of use.”














Friday, June 8, 2018

More Storm Drain Art Arrives in Carytown

More storm drain art is coming to Richmond’s streets to remind everyone that they are the pollution solution. The first drain was painted as a live demonstration during the Festival of the River on June 9 at 7th and Tredegar Streets near West Rock. Four additional drains will be painted in Carytown on June 16 and 17.

Through the RVAH2O Storm Drain Art Project (http://www.rvah2o.org/storm-drain-art/), an initiative of the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU), five local Richmond artists have been selected to paint their message on storm drains to educate the public about the importance of keeping our river, waterways and streets pollution-free. These winning artists were among 29 entries in RVAH2O’s online contest. They will paint five storm drains in Tredegar and Carytown.

RVAH2O’s online contest invited local artists ages 18+ to submit design entries depicting “You Are the Pollution Solution," environmental protection of waterways, and the James River’s ecosystem, natural habitats and wildlife.

The panel of judges included members of the Richmond Public Art Commission and members of the DPU stormwater team. The five winning artists are:

  • Jered Fykes
  • Hope Morgan
  • Elise Neuscheler
  • Melissa Rosener
  • Amy Smith

“The Storm Drain Art Project drew a strong caliber of local artists who have taken a clever approach to illustrating the benefits of a pollution-free James River,” said Calvin Farr, DPU director. “We are excited to be a part of the Festival of the River with the live painting demonstration and returning to where it all began. We’re equally excited to be extending storm drain art to Carytown, a very popular and walkable destination to eat, shop, and play.”

Each artist will be assigned a storm drain to paint over two weekends: June 9 and June 16-17. Artists will be compensated with a $400 stipend for their work and materials, such as tools and brushes. They also will receive instruction on how to paint storm drains, which will include precautions to prevent paint from getting into the drain.

DPU will provide each artist with non-slip paint, basic brushes and water tubs. DPU also will closely monitor the drain painting and will provide standard construction inlet protection (gutter buddies) for each drain, as well as small tents that the artists can use for shade and protection during the process.

This is the third consecutive year of the RVAH2O Storm Drain Art Project, initiated in 2016 using the online contest and entry portal. In May 2016, six artists were selected to paint storm drains along Tredegar Street, adjacent to the James River. They remain today a visual reminder of the importance of the James River in our lives, as well as the lives of plants, animals and fish that rely on the river and its natural habitats for survival.  In May 2017, four artists were selected to paint storm drains along Grace and Harrison Streets at VCU.



About RVAH2O

RVAH2O (http://www.rvah2o.org/) is driven by the belief that every citizen of our city can make a difference and help us achieve the goal of cleaner water faster for all of Richmond. We’ve developed an innovative partnership between city government and passionate citizens, and we’re making progress every day to:

  • Reduce pollution
  • Decrease flooding 
  • Keep our waters fishable and swimmable




Friday, May 4, 2018

Richmond's Award-Winning Water Highlighted During National Drinking Water Week

The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU) celebrated National Drinking Water
Week, May 6–12, 2018. “Protect the Source” was the theme for this year’s campaign and provides the opportunity for partners of the American Water Works Association to highlight the vital role water plays in our daily lives and the quality of life we enjoy.

During National Drinking Water Week, representatives from DPU served Richmond’s award-winning water at various water fill stations in the city.

The City of Richmond is one of Virginia’s largest potable water producers, with a Water Plant that has the capacity to treat up to 132 million gallons of water a day from the James River.

The treatment plant and distribution system of water mains, pumping stations and storage facilities provide water to more than 62,000 customers in the city. The facility also provides water to the surrounding area through wholesale contracts with Henrico, Chesterfield, and Hanover counties and indirectly to Powhatan and Goochland counties. The utility also maintains 1,200 miles of water mains, city fire hydrants for fire protection and 13 pumping stations throughout the city.

Thursday, May 3, 2018

A Day with the Strong Waste Program

The treatment of wastewater from restaurants, apartment buildings, commercial businesses, car washes, industrial plants, breweries, hair salons, printers, and similar businesses that have wastewater discharges different from the typical household is a significant expense for DPU, which can recover some of the costs associated with treating wastewater from industrial users through the Strong Waste Surcharge Program. The program measures concentrations of biochemical and oxygen demand, suspended solids, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus in annual random wastewater samples from these types of customers and adds surcharges to their utility bill. The tests involve visiting all those businesses at least once a year and taking samples over a 3-4 day period.

To view a slideshow, click on the first photo.

John Newton, environment tech, is back from collecting the day's first commercial and industrial wastewater samples as part of the Strong Waste Program.





Billing team members Carolyn Cunningham and Flora Edmonds watch Water Quality Technician Katie Dayley test some pretreatment samples.

Senior Chemist Miles Mangrum analyzes wastewater plant and industrial samples.

Senior Chemist Thomas May




Remove the manhole cover.

Pull out the previously placed sampler machine that has been collecting wastewater samples.

Read the calibrations and reset.

Harvest the wastewater samples.

Next we check out some drains behind a grocery store.

This one is separating out the grease.

More grease.

A lot of toilet paper in this one. The hose goes in to collect a sample.

The sampler machine is brought up and emptied.

Thanks for the demonstrations on what you do, Mr. Newton!