From day one, David Carbajal aspired to become Supervisor of Water Maintenance for the City of Santa Ana Water Resources Division. He had worked for various large construction contractors building and retrofitting bridges before joining the Santa Ana Public Works Agency twenty-one years ago. When a position opened up in the Water Resources Division a year later, he jumped at the opportunity and has never looked back.
Today, David supervises a crew of 10 people who are responsible for maintaining and repairing water main and water service pipelines as well as the 5,010 fire hydrants located throughout Santa Ana.
Two teams spend six months each year to ensure all fire hydrants meet a Class 1 Rating: flushing hydrants to test the volume and pressure and remove sediment and rust; operating and servicing the hydrants’ gate valves and caps; and maintaining clearance around the hydrants for visibility and accessibility.
Throughout the year, another team is dedicated to maintaining the city’s 5,954 underground gate valves, which are used to shut off water in the event of a water main break.
When the Water Resources Division identifies an area experiencing abnormally high instances of water main failures—a “hot spot”—David’s crew will also replace sections of the main water pipeline to ensure reliability and uninterrupted service for residents.
Working for such a highly regarded City Department isn’t the only thing David enjoys. He likes to spend his time golfing, fishing, camping in the Western Sierras, and grilling during the summers with his family.
“What I enjoy most about my position is my ability to implement changes that save time and money while improve safety for my crew,” he says. In addition to upgrading equipment, David promotes advanced training for his crew. “It’s great to be supported by our Water Resources Manager, Nabil Saba, and my senior supervisor, Mike Murrietta, who value training and are committed to ensuring the Santa Ana Water Resources Division is the best in the state.”
The next time you see David and his crew in the neighborhood, remember their critical role in keeping your water flowing and community safe.