Like most young people, Brandon Johnson never imagined himself in a wastewater treatment career. Now, he’s happily employed as a wastewater operator with New Braunfels (Texas) Utilities (NBU).
Established in 1942, NBU provides water, wastewater and electricity services to the City of New Braunfels and employs about 200 people. The water system draws both from groundwater and the Guadalupe River, supplying about 3 billion gallons of water per year to more than 21,600 customers.
The wastewater system contains 331 miles of sewers and serves more than 18,900 customers. The three wastewater treatment plants have a total capacity of 8.4 mgd.
Johnson joined the NBU Wastewater Division about 18 months ago as an operator at the South Kuehler and North Kuehler wastewater treatment plants and soon saw a path to a satisfying career. He would like to see the wastewater treatment profession reach out more effectively to people his age and let them know about the many opportunities available in the field. He talked about his perspectives in an interview with Treatment Plant Operator.
TPO:
How did you get started in wastewater treatment?
Johnson:
Honestly, coming out of high school, I had no clue about wastewater. It was all behind the scenes to me — I didn’t know anything about it. I was just looking for a job. I filled out job applications anywhere I could.
I knew people who worked for this company, and they said it was a good place to work. I was really trying to get into any position with New Braunfels, whether it was on the electrical side, as a meter reader, or anything that was available. The superintendent from the Wastewater Treatment Division called me back and said there was an opening there. I went in for interviews, and I found out it was something I would like to do. So I went ahead and pursued it, and I got the position.
I didn’t think I’d be liking it as much as I do now. I thought I would stay for a little while and see what happened, but as it turned out, I really like it a lot.
TPO:
How did your schooling and background prepare you to work in the wastewater treatment profession?
Johnson:
In high school in New Braunfels, I took four years of automotive technician and three years of metal fabrication. Anytime there’s a problem with my truck, I fix it. I’m the man to go to when anybody has a problem with anything mechanical. I figure out how to do it if I don’t know how.
I was strong in science in high school, but I wasn’t a big fan of math. Now we have to do the numbers for running our processes, and I just jump into it. The math doesn’t bother me now. I really like what I’m doing.
TPO:
What is it about the career that you find especially satisfying?
Johnson:
I like helping the environment and getting the feeling that I’m doing something worthwhile, instead of just collecting a regular paycheck. I’m helping out the fish and wildlife. I hunt for whitetail, antelope, fallow deer and axis. I’ve been fishing ever since I can remember. I’ve always loved the outdoors. I like keeping what we have in good health so everybody else is able to share it, too. It gives me a sense of fulfillment.
TPO:
What are your responsibilities at the treatment plant?
Johnson:
I do a little bit of everything. We rotate tasks every month, from working on the filter press, to working in the lab checking the ammonia, turbidity, DO, and chlorine residuals. I collect the samples from the treatment process. I receive and unload treatment plant chemicals, and adjust chemical doses as needed. I also operate and maintain pumps, motors, blowers and valves and perform maintenance and repairs on our mobile equipment.
TPO:
How do you see yourself advancing in the profession?
Johnson:
I’ve just acquired my Class D operator’s license. I plan to take all the schooling to get my Class A license, and I also want to get a degree in biology from a local college. I’m still trying to figure out what kind of education program will suit my schedule for working full-time while going to school.
TPO:
Who has been helpful to you during your first year on the job?
Johnson:
I can’t pinpoint a single individual. All my fellow operators have different skills and ways of doing things. I look up to all of them. They have ideas, both old and new, that help me out every day. Orlando Pena, who is the assistant plant superintendent, has been teaching me everything and helping me with my wastewater licensing. Whenever nobody else is there, he’s always willing to help. Everybody is really good that way. If I need help, someone will come over and help me.
TPO:
In your opinion, what can the industry do to attract more young people to join the ranks of operators?
Johnson:
It’s pretty basic. Let them know that they’ll be helping the environment and will gain satisfaction from knowing that they’re doing something positive. Also tell them that there will always be a need for wastewater operators. You’ll always have a good job, and you won’t have to worry about losing your job in tough economic times. There’s good pay, and there’s room for advancement. We’re going to need more operators as the older professionals are starting to retire.
TPO:
What are the best ways to get these messages to young people?
Johnson:
Go to job fairs. I went to a couple of those when I was in high school, and I didn’t see any wastewater agencies. And maybe there should be an introductory class in environmental services in high school. Students could learn about the professions and pursue those interests into college if they wanted to go further with it. I would also like to see the counselors in the high schools start talking about it.
There could also be advertising on the TV shows that kids watch all the time. Not necessarily an ad for a specific company — just for the industry itself.
TPO:
How do people your age respond when you tell them you are a wastewater treatment operator?
Johnson:
Sometimes at first they laugh when I tell them. Then I talk about how diverse it is and all the different things we do. You’re always out in the field doing something, not just sitting behind a desk at a computer. They like that idea. It changes their perception, and some start seeing it as a profession to look into.
TPO:
How do you see your career developing years from now?
Johnson:
I would like to be in a position like the one my supervisor, Orlando Pena, has now. He started off with exactly what I was doing, being a plant operator, and he worked his way up to being assistant superintendent. I admire that. I look up to him.
