DC Water

“It’s not going to smell how you think.” Chris Peot, DC Water's Director of Resource Recovery and Interim President of Blue Drop, LLC, talks about Bloom, our nutrient-rich soil amendment, in a recent interview on the What's Happening MoCo podcast. Listen to the full interview at https://lnkd.in/gwpvmeKZ

We have had a productive summer, saving ratepayers money! The Finance team, led by CFO Matt Brown and VP Ivan A. Boykin, priced bonds on an over $500 million transaction to refund existing bonds. The transaction exceeded expectations, achieving $75 million in savings, approximately $3-4 million annually, for 20 years. DC Water seized on favorable market conditions and used its high bond rating to secure the savings, which we were happy to pass along to our customers. The transaction was underwritten by Morgan Stanley and co-managers included Stern Brothers (M/WBE), Academy Securities (veteran-owned), and Blaylock Van (African American-owned). PFM Financial Advisors and Sustainable Capital Advisors (minority-owned and DC-based) assisted with the transaction.

Our offices and facilities feel a little empty today. Our summer interns wrapped up their internships last week and are all preparing to return to class or start their careers. Before we let them go though, we asked them to share what they worked on and what they learned, at the traditional Intern Expo, one of the highlights of the intern program that DC Water's leadership team and staff look forward to each summer. This is a creative, intelligent group of young men and women, and we hope to welcome them back someday soon as full-time employees. Thank you #summerinterns!

We are tremendously proud of Bloom, DC Water’s Class A Exceptional Quality biosolids product, and we’re working hard to spread the word about its many benefits. Helping us do that is our own Chris Peot, an environmental engineer and president of Blue Drop, LLC. Chris was recently interviewed on the Montgomery County, MD podcast, What’s Happening MoCo, about how this environmentally friendly fertilizer is improving soil health in the DMV and beyond. Please listen and help us get the word out! #biosolids #wastewater #recycling #SoilHealth #MoCo #CircularEconomy https://lnkd.in/eXhv_Zhd

We have another new hire to announce! Ecudemio Gutierrez Jr. MS, CSP, SMS, CHST has joined DC Water’s leadership team as the Director of Occupational Safety and Health. He is responsible for establishing and implementing the Authority’s safety programs and policies, while leading a team of safety professionals in the continuous improvement of the safety culture at DC Water. Prior to joining the Authority, Mr. Gutierrez served as Employee Health and Safety Corporate Director at Freyssinet where he oversaw all aspects of the organization’s safety programs and policies and ensured compliance with all corporate, Federal, state, local, and regulatory requirements. He also previously served in leadership roles with Kiewit and TIC - The Industrial Company, and with Trinity Safety Group. Across these roles, he built a reputation for administering highly effective occupational health and safety programs, while also modeling integrity and the principles of servant leadership. Mr. Gutierrez holds a Master of Science degree in Psychology from Cappella University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety and Health from Columbia Southern University. Additionally, he holds certifications as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Safety Management Specialist (SMS). Please join us in welcoming Ecudemio to DC Water!

On this #NationalInternDay a huge thank you to our 42 star summer interns! Sarah, Nicole, Terrence and 39 other young men and women are making real contributions across the authority. The variety of their work includes everything from analyzing data from water pressure sensors in the distribution system, to testing water quality samples from water mains, and getting hands on experience in construction project management. They complement our staff so well and it will be hard to say goodbye when their internship ends in early August.

We just launched a new campaign to build awareness about our Lead Free DC program. The goal is to replace every lead service line with copper pipe and #LeadFreeForMe shows on a personal level why that effort is important to us individually, for our own health, our families, and our pets. Look for the campaign on a bus, train, webpage, newspaper, store or movie theater near you in the near future.

DC Water Cares is one of the most robust customer assistance programs offered by any utility in the nation. In 2023, we provided more than $8 million to help 5,313 customers pay their water bills. We offer monthly discounts and one time funding to help pay down past due balances. If you know someone in need, please direct them our way. Details about all our assistance programs are available at dcwater.com/Cares.

A belated welcome to one of the newest members of our Leadership Team. Chris Collier joined us as Vice President of Water Operations earlier this summer and we put him right to the test with a citywide boil water advisory before he'd even had time to unpack. Chris comes to DC Water from the City of Cocoa, Florida, where he served 14 years, first as Manager, Field Operations, and later leading nearly 200 employees as Assistant Utilities Director. In that role, he oversaw wastewater pumping & collection, water distribution, and water treatment. Inspired by his grandfather, a physician, Chris prides himself on adding a personal touch to customer service by extending kindness and compassion to those he serves. He also served eight years in the United States Marines and we are happy to have him on board!

DC Water has become an employer of choice because we have built our organizational culture around the principles of people, place, and pay. We believe that when we offer the best teams and colleagues, respectful and equitable work sites, and pay that sets the regional standard for fair and equitable pay, you have an unbeatable formula for career growth and opportunities for advancement. We don’t just attract talent, we strive to develop it, build around it, and offer opportunities for real, meaningful career growth. Meet Joe Edwards, who after 13 years of dedicated service to the Authority in multiple roles was announced on Tuesday as the Authority’s new Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President. Congratulations to Joe, and the team that supports him on a well-deserved promotion! If you are passionate about water, serving and delivering equity to the community, and also addressing climate change, please review our open positions, and join us to write your own success story!