Water is life

Water is the lifeblood of California and without safe and reliable water, no community and no sector of the economy – from high tech to manufacturing to agriculture – can thrive or expand.

Thanks to technological advances by highly skilled and trained water professionals and the dedication of thousands of industry professionals in the state, California drinking water and treated wastewater meets some of the most stringent water quality standards in the nation.

In California -- and here in Roseville, too -- our water and wastewater professionals work 24/7 to plan for the future, maintain and upgrade their systems and improve the safety and resiliency of local water supplies for their communities.

Meet some of our utility workers and what they do every day

Nik

Meet Nik Mandelik, Wastewater Utility Maintenance Worker

Nik Mandelik is a wastewater utility maintenance worker and has been with Environmental Utilities for six and a half years. He was led to work with the City of Roseville by a friend who convinced him that it was a great environment and city to work for.

Nik enjoys the opportunities to work for different divisions within Environmental Utilities. He is currently working within the recycled water program, which is ever-expanding throughout the city, that keeps our parks and medians green, limiting the use of surface water to irrigate.

One of the highlights of his position is the various opportunities to work alongside other departments. For example, he assisted in the construction of an off-road driving course for the Fire Department, as well as helped them dig a trench for rescue training.

Loni

Meet Loni Randolph, Materials Technician

Loni Randolph is a materials technician for Environmental Utilities' Wastewater Collections Division. She began working for Roseville in a part-time capacity over five years ago, but made the full-time move to her current department in 2020. 

She enjoys many aspects of her job, including supplying the teams out in the field with the necessary equipment and tools to complete their work, but it's the people she works with that make her workplace enjoyable. She is happy to be a part of a team, or what she describes as a "small family," that gets things done for the residents of Roseville.
Matt

Meet Matt Russell, Water Distribution Worker

Matt is a water distribution worker for Environmental Utilities and has been working for the department for just over a year, but is not new to the trade, as he has supported other water districts throughout his career.

Originally from Australia, Matt made the move to the U.S. with his wife five years ago. He enjoys fixing things and knowing he plays a role in the successful distribution of water throughout Roseville. Part of his work in involves preventative maintenance on the 5,600 hydrants throughout the city. 

What Matt likes most about working for Roseville's water division is that, while he and the crews get their projects done efficiently, he can still be himself and have fun on the job.
Ables

Meet Brian Ables, Laboratory Technician

Brian Ables is a Marine. He is also going on six years serving the community as a Laboratory Technician at the Pleasant Grove Wastewater Treatment Plant. What drew Brian to his profession was the chance to have a hand in the analysis and safety for Roseville residents while directly applying his science degrees in the field. 

One of the many aspects of Brian's job that he enjoys, also one that many may not know about, is that he and his team test and provide quality assurance to drinking water that is supplied to residential and commercial properties. His service to his country and to the community is what helps maintain Roseville's high standards and quality of life.
Brett with water distribution

Meet Brett Coleman, Water Distribution Worker

Brett Coleman is an outdoorsy, hands-on type. And hands-on is exactly what he’s been doing for the City of Roseville for 12 years. This father of three is a crew member of the of our water utility, where he is in Preventative Maintenance, checking and rechecking fire hydrants, valves, blow offs, and other essential equipment to make sure they are working and functioning. He gives it his all each day, and says each day, he’s grateful for the opportunity to work for the many customers that call Roseville home or a place where they do business

It’s the culture at work to be the best that he loves. He was hired in his early 20s because he’s mechanical and had experience installing sewer lines and infrastructure from his previous jobs working construction. He definitely had the background to get his foot in the door, and started out working street maintenance. At the time, Brett didn’t know that he would have so much opportunity to learn, train, get certified again and again, and — most importantly — get promoted and secure a future. And, he didn’t know his coworkers collectively would have the work ethic and drive he so admires and emulates each day.

Not only does Brett work for Roseville residents, he is also a dad that loves to hunt and fish with the family and is partial to community involvement that focuses on the kids. He volunteers at the Big Trucks Summer event at the Roseville Utility Exploration Center each year, and never tires of the cheerful children pretending to drive the City’s garbage and fire trucks and really honking the horns.

Brett’s advice to others who are starting out with the City is to have a deep conviction for what you do, work hard, and continue to do your best each day. In other words, as Brett’s supervisors would say, wake up each day and be a Brett.

Marks

Meet Jason Marks, Senior Engineer

Jason Marks has been serving the Roseville community as a Senior Engineer for almost two years. What drew him to his line of work was his enjoyment of math, science, and problem-solving -- the perfect formula for an engineer.

But what does a water engineer do for the city? They design distribution systems that ensure the constant flow of water, of course! While engineers are most commonly associated with bridges, roads, buildings, and mechanics, water distribution is more out-of-sight and out-of-mind -- until it is in high demand.

Jason is no stranger to the water industry. He has also played vital roles in other cities' wastewater treatment processes. His well-rounded knowledge and expertise is what helps to keep Roseville's water flowing. 
Bracco

Meet Spencer Bracco, Utility Maintenance Worker

Spencer has been supporting the residents of Roseville for almost two years and is currently serving as wastewater collections utility maintenance worker. What keeps him motivated during the day is the group of people he works alongside with, as they share the common goal of working hard, providing high quality service, and getting home safely -- all while having a bit of fun.

Spencer is also a long-time resident of Roseville. He was raised in the area and his father dedicated 34 years of his life to the city, so he has seen first-hand what it was like to serve the community. 

A fun fact about Spencer's line of work is that he and his crew help maintain Roseville's sewer system that processes millions of gallons per day between our two wastewater treatment plants!

 
Michelle at Corp Yard

Meet Michelle Sullivan, Water Conservation Worker

Michelle Sullivan is a landscape business owner turned Roseville Environmental Utilities water conservation worker. As a former landscaper, Michelle wishes she knew then what she knows now about efficient water choices. Now that she is a water efficiency expert for other businesses, she can let her real passions fly — advocate for efficient water use and help residents lower their consumption —closing the public knowledge gap with customers about best practices on using water as wisely as possible.

Starting a water conservation career at the height of the last drought has had a lingering impact on Michelle’s personal and professional life. She challenges her own water usage as diligently as she does her neighbors, and is always in search of the next new water saving device or technique. She understands that people are not inherently wasteful, and she simply wants to help.

Michelle believes in investigating high water usage for leaks rather than assuming the customer is a high-water user, and trusts that with education and water-saving tools, everyone can be a water saver. Her greatest source of pride comes from making community connections, building trust, and sharing water conservation techniques.

Always happiest in the field, Michelle helps residents identify leaks to prevent property damage, and walks residents and businesses through the process of inspection and conservation methods. If they become water efficient believers too and realize every drop counts, then Michelle has had a great day.
Brown1

Meet Chad Brown, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

Chad Brown is a wastewater treatment plant operator for Roseville and has been serving our community for almost two decades. He has been a resident of the city as well as a vital part of the successful operation of the Dry Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant.

One of the many aspects of Chad's work that keeps him motivated is the positive impact he makes on the surrounding environment. His contribution helps keep our community healthy and public parks green, ensuring Roseville remains one of the best places to live in California.
David

Meet David Boisa, Water Distribution Supervisor

David Boisa is a staple in Environmental Utilities' Water Division. He is a water distribution supervisor that has been with the department for 20 years. He started his career in the warehouse and quickly moved his way up into water distribution, taking great pride in his work.

Boisa has lived in Roseville his entire life, so serving the community he lives in is fulfilling. He enjoys being in touch with the customers who are experiencing trouble with their service so he can assist them with solutions to help them resolve any issues.

He and his team are responsible for the maintenance and installation of over 50,000 water meters throughout Roseville. There are 50-75 new installations each week, keeping them well occupied in our continuously growing city.
Frank

Meet Frank Dittrich, Industrial Waste Specialist

Frank Dittrich began his position as an industrial waste specialist for Environmental Utilities' Wastewater Division in 2021, but has been in his field for over five years.

Frank enjoys the work he does with the city, as he is also a resident, so he is able to visit sites that he wouldn't normally pay much notice to. His interaction with utility customers and the opportunities to engage with and educate them on proper handling of industrial waste is one of the many aspects of his job that he appreciates.

What is dynamic about Frank's position is that he does not operate solely within Roseville's city limits. As an industrial waste specialist, he is tied to the regional sewer shed, so all of the pipes that are connected to Roseville's treatment plants are within his area of responsibility, ranging from Granite Bay, Lincoln, and Newcastle. 
Cuevas

Meet Nayeli Cuevas, Office Assistant

Nayeli serves the residents of Roseville as an office assistant in the water utility customer service section. She has been in her role for almost a year and enjoys helping customers and providing solutions when they are in need.

One of the biggest perks of the position for Nayeli is that she is able to interact with different people on a daily basis, in and out of the department. From the time she sits down in the morning to assist callers, to the moment she puts down her headset in the evening to go home, she is happy to know she is making a difference in the community. 
Alex in wastewater collections

Meet Alex Bermudez, Wastewater Collections Worker

Alex Bermudez has a connection to Roseville Utilities that involves more than just being the place where he works every day. He is not only a wastewater maintenance worker, he is also a grandson of a retired Roseville Electric Utility worker. Bermudez says that like his stint serving his country in the Navy for four years, serving the City of Roseville like his Grandpa has proud moments, too.

The teamwork, competitiveness and camaraderie he enjoyed in the service — and the discipline — prepared him well for his new job in wastewater and transitioning from the service he says was easy. On the job, Bermudez says the culture is like the military in the sense that as a unit, everybody knows everything is important, so, everyone learns and does everything so as to not miss a beat. Now that’s teamwork.

Each day Bermudez arrives at work, gets his assignment for the day, and goes out into the field with his crew to serve where needed. They will go manhole to manhole, clean the lines, and complete routine maintenance, all tasks to prevent emergencies, but they still can happen. If there is a plug in the main causing a sewer spill, Bermudez explains, that can lead to an environmental health issue.

Construction is most often the culprit for accidents, so Bermudez and his crew members are on call 24/7 just in case. Their equipment, particularly the vactor truck with its water tank and giant vacuum hose, is big and imposing, and gets the job done. Bermudez says the kids love it when they get to see the truck, especially at Big Trucks Summer, a special annual event at the Roseville Utility Exploration Center, when lots of City trucks are on display, and the kids get to pretend they are responders.

Bermudez is now engaged to be married and turning toward the future. He says the City has mechanisms for advancement and helps create opportunities for employees to get there. He is determined to take advantage of the chance to acquire certificates and follow his strategy for moving up the ladder: keep your head down, be the best, prove yourself and be ready to work.

Dave at Barton Road

Meet Dave Eulberg, Plant & Equipment Mechanic

Since he was a kid, Roseville Environmental Utilities plant and equipment mechanic Dave Eulberg has always liked to tinker. And, as he grew older, he gravitated toward welding and industrial fabrication while working in machine shops. Now, Dave is tinkering with the pumps and machinery at Environmental Utilities to guarantee clean and clear water is splashing out of those Roseville faucets.

Each day, Dave looks forward to the camaraderie he enjoys with his “family” at work as he monitors the pumps, fixes and repairs the gear boxes, and when necessary, takes a piece of steel and retrofits it to just the right specs (better than factory made!) to keep the plant humming. He takes pride knowing that his hard work is ensuring the water coming from Folsom Lake and journeying through the Barton Road Water Treatment Plant, becomes clean water for the citizens of Roseville.

The Roseville community is where Dave is raising his young family, and instilling the same discipline and caring he practices at work. At Environmental Utilities, he lives by the simple virtues of hard work, being clean and tidy, properly storing tools, helping others and exercising safe practices. At home, those qualities translate into a structured environment, where his children do their homework before play, and learning everyday is the expectation.

Dave is also constantly improving his own skills through education. He finds time to take electrical theory and computer building classes at Sierra College, and never shies away from acquiring job-related certificates for professional development. Dave will say he’s a process guy, and a safety-first guy, who sets out to do a good job at every task he’s preforming. And at end of each work day, he hustles home to check his two daughters’ homework before announcing it’s time for play.

Melissa in the lab

Meet Melissa Parks, Laboratory Technician

Roseville is the kind of place where residents know their neighbors, and their neighbor may be a Roseville Environmental Utilities employee. That is certainly the case for those who live on the same block as Melissa Park, a laboratory technician for the wastewater utility.

She is a third generation water treatment expert, often talking shop with her grandfather and father when she was just a young girl growing up in Roseville, and even standing side by side with her dad at work may years later.

Now she is measuring microorganisms in wastewater discharged into Dry Creek (bugs are good.) She also measures PH levels and conducts other tests to ensure a clean water environment. Her job requires a lot of environmental science — perfect for someone who rallied her Roseville neighbors to recycle when she was in the sixth grade, and in junior high, interviewed Kim Spear on wastewater, the same Kim Spear who was Melissa’s boss until Kim retired several years ago.

Melissa wants everyone to know that the water treatment facility where she works is providing clean water to our creeks, just what is needed to keep them flowing fresh, especially in the stagnating summer.

Melissa is a natural communicator, an educator and the enforcer when it comes to insisting on good habits for the betterment of the environment. She says small changes make a big impact, so start by taking the store stickers off your apples. They clog the equipment at the water treatment facility. Who knew?
Schermerhorn

Meet Roger Schermerhorn, Water Distribution Worker

Roger Schermerhorn has been in the business of serving the residents of Roseville as a Water Distribution Worker for five years. His past experience with plumbing and pipefitting made for an easy transition into utility work, especially for a growing city. As an employee and a resident of Roseville, Roger takes pride in his work.

What keeps the work interesting for Roger is the dynamic of Roseville's water resources. While most communities rely on surface water, the city also utilizes a large portion of its water through groundwater wells -- both of which Roger helps to flow freely through the use of multiple distribution systems.
Nelson with water distribution

Meet Nelson Santos, Water Distribution Worker

Nelson Santos has been a water distribution worker for 13 years. Yet, he is still in awe of the massive, behind-the-scenes effort it takes to make turning a faucet on and enjoying clean running water such a routine event. He finds the potable and recycled water delivery process fascinating, and the opportunity to learn more about it on the job, rewarding.

After a short career out of high school working maintenance for a school district, Santos, a young dad with a growing family, needed a job that provided growth and benefits. He found it at Environmental Utilities, working among a crew that maintains the underground water mains, installs service lines to meters of new homes and businesses, conducts maintenance and handles repairs, especially emergency ones.

Santos takes pride in the City’s 24/7 response to service calls, even if it means on-call duty for him one week a month. If a water main breaks or a car hits a hydrant in the middle of the night, Nelson likes to say, residents will still be able to brush their teeth in the morning. Even in the middle of the night, according to Santos, Roseville neighbors are appreciative of their efforts, often offering lemonade or coffee, and are genuinely kind.

After work, Santos goes to his other job, escorting his kids to their sports activities. When he has time, Santos rides dirt bikes, and likes to go to the coast and be with family. He likes working for a company that goes beyond providing the minimum requirements for clean, safe water, and likes the security of working for the City. You won’t make a million dollars, he says, but there is always room to grow.