Every day. That is how much engineering plays into our daily lives. From concept to completion, engineers create new possibilities with innovations that help us change the world we live in.
It's meaningful work that builds the future of Roseville.
For all positions, engineers solve problems, work with diverse groups of people, project manage, make cost/benefit calculations, and look to find the best solutions for a broad range of challenges.
"I love being an engineer for the city. I get to be a creative problem solver for different challenging tasks every day, and my work provides me with a sense of pride, knowing that I am helping improve our community," said Tracie Mueller, senior engineer. "My job allows me to work on projects for the City that help rehabilitate existing infrastructure to provide reliable utility services while minimizing impacts to our existing customers, and expand our facilities to allow for growth and development with our community."
Environmental Utilities engineers plan and oversee the development of significant infrastructure improvements and ongoing maintenance for water and wastewater treatment, collection and delivery systems, and stormwater management.
Many staffers live right here in the community they serve, bringing a more committed approach to their work and pride in the projects they build and maintain.
"Engineers build infrastructure systems to serve the community," said Richard Plecker, department head. "At Roseville, I now get to grow a department of people that build this infrastructure where I live." Similarly, senior engineer Janice Gainey loves that she can take the problem-solving approach for her home town.
Engineers support utility functions
To put this into perspective, Environmental Utilities manages a variety of utility functions, all requiring a level of engineering:
- The Waste Services Division provides trash, recycling, and green waste services. Roseville collects more than 100,000 tons annually from about 130,000 residences and several thousand businesses.
- Stormwater management improves water quality by decreasing local water pollution sources.
- The Wastewater and Recycled Water Utility purify and treat water before being delivered back to the environment. The utility operates two wastewater treatment facilities to treat 30 million gallons daily. In addition, one billion gallons of recycled water are delivered annually. More than 500 miles of sewer mainlines, 240 miles of sewer laterals, and thousands of manholes are part of the wastewater conveyance system.
- The Water Utility operates a 100 million gallon daily treatment plant and an active groundwater well program. It maintains more than 600 miles of pipes, 4,500 hydrants, and three water tanks with 20 million gallons of water. The utility plans for ongoing water reliability and promotes water efficiency.
- Technical Services supports utility operations through project engineering & management, data management, rehabilitation planning, and business services.
These functions allow the community to be healthy, thrive, and be sustainable. "It's very fulfilling that I get a chance to work alongside motivated colleagues to provide creative solutions to deliver service and ensure our community's health and safety," said George Hanson, principal engineer.
Another Environmental Utilities engineer overseeing a large project at our Utility Exploration Center echoes the same sentiment. "Working for Roseville as an engineer on utility projects allows me to make a positive impact on my community and the quality of life of my neighbors," said Rana Moore, assistant engineer.
And as necessary as these functions are at every step of design and implementation to bring projects online, continued rehabilitation is needed to ensure that the systems in place, and the processes conducted, are routinely taken care of to maintain reliability for generations.
"There's a wide range of responsibilities for the engineers who focus on capital improvement projects," said Jonathan Cummings, associate engineer. "We oversee capital improvements from inception to completion."
One of Environmental Utilities' missions is to ensure water flows when customers turn the tap. It's a massive endeavor as drought and dry conditions are more persistent than before. But we have folks charged with ensuring our water supplies are diverse and sustainable.
"It's an amazing feeling to be able to work as a team to help the city become less reliant on its primary source of water supply," said Jason Marks, senior engineer.
Keeping our community healthy and safe is an essential aspect of managing wastewater, and folks like Bryan Buchanan, principal engineer, that oversees two regional plants enjoy all aspects of working in this utility.
"I love wastewater. I get to work on projects and processes that take the waste out of the water before we put it back into the environment," said Buchanan. "It's a dirty job, but I know our actions help to keep our community safe.
As we celebrate #NationalEngineersWeek, we thank you all for your commitment to public service and the ingenuity you bring with your profession that allows Roseville to be a thriving, sustainable, and attractive place to live, work, and play.