Getting to know Brian Bock, Lodi’s water plant operator
Brian Bock is the water plant operator at the City of Lodi’s Surface Water Treatment Facility.
Q:
Where did you attend college? What did you study? A:
The college that I attended was California State University, Stanislaus. I received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering technology.
Q:
What training did you have to be able to work at the Surface Water Treatment Facility? Was this always the job that you wanted?
A:
After college I started working at a small industrial wastewater plant, where I learned how to work with various motors, pumps, lab equipment, chemicals, waste, reports and most importantly, how to work with people in the industry.
When I was young, I thought I was going to be a commercial pilot, but after raising a family I am happy that I get to work in my community, making drinking water for thousands of people. Q:
How long have you worked at the SWTF?
A:
I have worked as an operator three for two years at the SWTF; before that, I worked at the wastewater treatment plant for 15 years as an environmental compliance inspector for the City of Lodi.
Q:
What are your responsibilities at the SWTF?
A:
Making safe drinking water from the Mokelumne River water for about 70,000 people. I am also responsible for running drinking wells located throughout the City of Lodi.
The supply of the water is delivered to homes and businesses using pressure from high service pumps at the SWTF, well pumps and the tall water tower. It is important to control the water pressure throughout the system at all times.
Other responsibilities include plant maintenance, lab testing, sewer and stormwater lift station monitoring and public plant tours.
Q:
Why does Lodi have a SWTF? A:
It provides a larger source of water, and protects from overusing our groundwater.
Q:
What is the process of cleaning the water?
A:
There are several processes that include coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection. The heart of our Surface Water Treatment Plant is the membrane filtration process.
Q:
How does the water get from the SWFT to people’s homes?
A:
Water gets to people’s homes by the distribution system that consists 220 miles of pipes, pumps and valves. Q:
How much water does the SWTF plant clean in one week?
A:
On average, we make between 4 million to 10 million GPD (gallons per day), depending on the season. Q:
What is your favorite part of your job?
A:
My favorite part of my job is working with my coworkers on water projects. We all come from different backgrounds and experiences, so when we work as a team things get done right. Q:
Is anything about your job dangerous?
A:
Making chlorine at the SWTF using the sodium hypochlorite generator is the most dangerous job. Other risks are falls from ladders or stairs while working around large storage tanks or membrane racks.
Q:
What is the hardest part of your job?
A:
Waking up at night when my phone alarms for an emergency is the hardest part of the job. No matter the time, I have to be alert enough to make the best possible decision to fix the problem.
Q:
Do you enjoy helping people in Lodi?
A:
I love helping people in Lodi. It is nice helping people understand where there water comes from and how it is made.
Q:
Is there anything that the people of Lodi can do to make your job easier?
A:
By keeping the river that supplies the water plant clean.
We had to close the plant down one time when a tractor was driven into Lodi Lake and abandoned. People can help by working as a community watchdog for the river like the Storm Drain Detectives of Lodi do.
Q:
What recommendations do you have for students who are interested in this career?
A:
Start by taking a tour at the facilities that catch your interest; for example, the Surface Water Treatment Facility or the Wastewater Treatment Facility.
While touring the plants, connect with the employees by asking questions that you might have.
Q:
Is there anything else that you would like our readers to know?
A:
There are plenty examples from power outages, broken fire hydrants, floods, and fires that have impacted the plant at all times of night that keep us on our feet. Please feel free to stop by and take a tour.
You might be amazed at what you see and what you hear from our experiences at the Surface Water Treatment Facility.