National Public Works Week

This week, May 20-26, has been designated as National Public Works Week. It is an opportune TIME to pause for a brief moment and reflect upon the hard work and dedication of the tens of thousands of men and women who labor daily in this challenging field to keep our water, clean and safe and safeguard the integrity of our environment.

The American Public Works Association first launched National Public Works Week in 1960 to energize and educate the public about the important role played by those in the water/wastewater industry who employ the latest technology to bring their communities the richest possible quality of life within the framework of environmental, social and economic responsibility.

The two hundred and twenty skilled professionals who work for Oakland County Water Resources are involved in a wide variety of labor intensive, and sometimes unpleasant work to keep fresh, clean and safe water following through your faucets, garden hoses, sprinkling systems and toilets. Despite the great challenges they often face, WRC personnel take on their respective tasks with pride and determination to do the best possible job for the 1.2 million customers they serve.

The team at Oakland County Water Resources has their “plate full” with  maintaining 400 separate county drains, more than forty lake level controls and the operation of 190 facilities that range from sewage pump stations to storm water retention facilities. Our employees also oversee literally hundreds of miles of sewer lines that run throughout the county to make sure they are in proper working order.

WRC personnel respond quickly to emergencies such as sewer system collapses, drain problems and other exigencies which require cost effective and efficient service in a timely manner. Some of the work performed by our staff places them in harm’s way when, on occasion, they are required to lower themselves deep into cavernous underground holes when a sewer line ruptures or entire sewer system collapses, where the risk of danger is always high, to make the needed repairs that will get the water flowing again to homes and businesses. 
These are our public servants who perform their duties in the shadow of anonymity, with no expectation of thanks or reward, but do so willingly because they believe in what they are doing and that it is making life better for the citizens they serve.

For those seeking career opportunities, the public works field offers some of the highest paying and most secure jobs available with good benefits. With the emergence of new water technologies, expansion of existing water/wastewater facilities and construction of new ones along with the retirements of Baby Boomers, there will be plenty of good jobs available over the next few years. 
I am extremely proud of the men and women of the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office and they deserve all the recognition, plaudits and appreciation we can bestow upon them during May 20-26, National Public Works Week.

To all our Public Works professionals in Oakland County, throughout the State of Michigan and across the United States of America I salute you...one and all.