Keeping our environment clean.
His work fits squarely into the core of EBMUD’s mission: STEWARDSHIP. Chris works every day to ensure that EBMUD is continually meeting complex permits that ensure that air quality, water quality and wastewater discharges are within requirements and protecting the environment.
He began his studies as a math major, but felt it was “too dry” and switched to environmental engineering. “I enjoy learning about EBMUD’s operations and make sure that we are reporting our regulated activities to the proper authorities,” Chris says. He reports problems should they occur and proposes practical solutions.
Though his job is quite varied, one of his key tasks is compiling and finalizing all the data that’s provided to the Regional Water Quality Control Board. The data describes what is being discharged to the San Francisco Bay by the wastewater treatment plant at the base of the Bay Bridge. “EBMUD has had 17 years of perfect compliance with effluent limits from this facility. It gives me a lot of satisfaction to know my work helps protect the Bay.”
Chris believes in partnerships and education, and has set up tours with regulators to help them understand EBMUD processes such as wastewater treatment. He developed an eight-hour class on wastewater regulations to train more than 200 employees. “I do my best to make it interesting, and include current issues to make the content relevant.” He adds with a smile: “I’ve gotten feedback from attendees who say ‘it’s not that boring.’”
“I get to leave work feeling like I’m doing something that benefits people by keeping our environment clean.”