Taking on technology.
Tara’s favorite part of the job is looking for ways to innovate.
Tara is an Associate Civil Engineer in EBMUD’s Pipeline Infrastructure Division, where she designs and implements the renewal and replacement of some of the District’s 4,200 miles of water pipe. Tara’s favorite part of her job is looking for ways to innovate: “We’re always looking for new tools or materials to use.”
Tara is working on two projects which use technology that will help EBMUD quicken the pace of pipeline renewal. One uses a new form of PVC, called PVCO pipe, which is more resilient to earthquakes. Developed in Canada, this pipe has been tested at the world’s premier seismic testing facility for pipelines at Cornell University. EBMUD is the first in the U.S. to use this kind of pipe.
Tara is also working with a trenchless technology which coats the inside of existing pipes with a hard resin. “The resulting pipe-within-a-pipe has an anticipated lifespan of more than 50 years, and has the benefit of being a faster process that’s less disruptive to neighbors than traditional pipeline replacement.”
Tara has been with EBMUD for 11 years but her aspirations to be part of the team began well before that.
“When I was younger, I used to run around EBMUD’s Lafayette Reservoir with my mom. It was so pretty, that I wanted to work for the District.”