Recognizing the Critical Role of California’s Water and Wastewater Industry
Sacramento, Calif.—All life depends on water for survival. But while more than two-thirds of the earth is covered with water, preparing it for human use—and then cleaning it once used—takes a lot of work.
During California’s second annual Water Professionals Appreciation Week (October 6–14), water professionals are being recognized and celebrated for their pivotal role in protecting public health and the environment.
Imagine a day when you couldn’t flush the toilet, take a shower, or wash the dishes. Just as important as the clean water that comes into your home is what happens to the dirty water that goes out. For most of the Sacramento region, that’s the job of the Sacramento Area Sewer District (SacSewer) and the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District (Regional San).
SacSewer and Regional San provide wastewater collection and treatment to more than one million people in the region. It takes a wide range of professionals to operate and maintain the 4,500 miles of sewer pipe and the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, located near Elk Grove. Recent labor studies estimate that 60,000 people work in California’s water industry, with about 6,000 new employees needed each year.
“We are extremely proud of our wastewater professionals and the vital role they play in keeping our communities clean and healthy,” said Prabhakar Somavarapu, district engineer for SacSewer and Regional San. “Although often unseen, the work we do is critically important.”
As wastewater agencies, SacSewer and Regional San are focused on their collective mission to protect public health and the environment—24 hours a day and 365 days a year. Clean water and proper sanitation efforts have saved millions of lives since they were widely implemented in the 19th and 20th centuries. Deadly water-borne diseases—such as cholera and typhoid—have been dramatically reduced. Since the mid-20th century, increasing environmental consciousness—along with government funding for wastewater treatment—also resulted in substantial advances in environmental protection related to reducing sewer overflows and regulating wastewater discharge to receiving waters.
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Water Professionals Appreciation Week was established in September 2017 by the California Legislature via Senate Concurrent Resolution 80. This annual designation highlights the important role that water and wastewater professionals play in ensuring the safe and reliable management of water, wastewater, and recycled water in California.
The Sacramento Area Sewer District (SacSewer) is California’s third largest sewage collection utility and provides service to about 1.2 million people in the Sacramento region. SacSewer owns and operates 4,500 miles of sewer pipes, more than 100 pump stations, and is responsible for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the sewer system. Learn more at sacsewer.com.
Regional San owns and operates 169 miles of sewer pipes and the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant located near Elk Grove. Regional San provides wastewater conveyance and treatment service to about 1.4 million people throughout the Sacramento region. Learn more at regionalsan.com.
CONTACT: Nicole Coleman, Public Affairs Manager
ColemanN@sacsewer.com
916.876.6246 office | 916.704.5502 cell
