AWWA Water Champion – Scott Rogers, Palmdale, California

Scott Rogers, P.E., was recently promoted to assistant general manager with Palmdale Water District (PWD) in California after serving five years as engineering manager. He has been instrumental in leading PWD’s capital improvement projects and obtained more than $30 million in grants. He has worked in engineering consulting and utility management for more than 30 years in Washington, Hawaii, Guam and California.

Education/certification: B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Washington State University; MBA, University of Redlands; D2 and T2 operator certifications

When did you get involved in the water sector? In college, I worked as an intern in the engineering and planning departments of my hometown of Oak Harbor, Washington. After graduation, I started my career at a local engineering consulting company in the Seattle area.

What led to your focus on water supply and treatment? My focus on water supply and treatment is driven by my interest in public service. Water supply is one of the most essential items in meeting the expectations of existing and future customers. They expect the water to be available for their essential needs like showering, cooking and drinking. Additionally, the water sector has proven we can provide safe and clean water for many years through the dedicated staff who design, operate and maintain water systems.

What do you enjoy most about your new position as assistant general manager? I like being more involved and seeing more aspects of the district’s operations, from customer care to finance, operations to maintenance and information technology.

Describe your involvement with the Pure Water Antelope Valley project. Since the feasibility stage, I have led the efforts with the Pure Water Antelope Valley program, which will use state-of-the-art technology to purify recycled wastewater to produce a new, locally controlled, drought-resilient water supply to help replenish Antelope Valley’s groundwater basin. We’re in the middle of building a demonstration facility. It has been five years of planning, designing and seeking financing. The engineering team has had a heavy load to carry, but we have the right consultants to help us bring this project to fruition.

What lessons about water recycling would you share with other utilities? One lesson I would like to share is to be open to the possibility of indirect potable reuse as an alternative to demand offset, like building a recycled water system. Also, look for innovative solutions to help assist with the cost. Reach out to state and federal governments for financial assistance to offset the cost of building a project like this one.

How have you benefited from your AWWA involvement? I think the greatest benefit is learning from others and sharing with others. I have learned so much from my colleagues in other agencies by sharing experiences and knowledge. It is incredibly beneficial to me to stay active within the association (although sometimes my workload does not allow it), including serving on the Water Treatment Facilities Design and Construction Committee.

Please describe your family and/or hobbies and interests. I am a single dog dad, so my three labrador retrievers keep me busy and laughing. Recently, we threw a party to celebrate my mom’s 90^th birthday. She still lives on her own and drives around town. I love home improvement projects and updating my house. From renovating the kitchen to the bathrooms and flooring, I have done it all. I also enjoy reading; there is nothing better than a well written book with a good storyline.

Anything else you’d like to add? I want to thank all my mentors (too many to list) for their guidance and support throughout my career.