Reese Corcoran

I am responsible for mostly process operation of an activated sludge treatment facility in compliance with state regulatory requirements. I perform a variety of skilled technical duties, including sampling and lab testing and analysis for process control decisions. Perform lab tests for permit compliance data. Enter a variety of data from plant readings, SCADA and lab testing into hach WIMS data base. All data used to produce the Monthly Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) is extracted from this data base. Operate a centrifuge and belt-filter press. Maintain the Cities main pump station.

Directed the operations of a tertiary, domestic and industrial wastewater treatment / reclamation facility. Remarkably clear effluent was accomplished by MBR (Membrane Bio Reactors). Ultra violet disinfection was used for discharge to receiving water. Chlorination was required for reclaimed water. Monitored and maintained pump / lift stations. Supervised three operators and one intern.

Signed as “Principal Executive Officer” for the monthly ‘Discharge Monitoring Report’ (DMR). Played a significant role in the compilation and production of the DMR. Established a good rapport with the State Regulator Officer. Regularly met with client, coordinated shut-downs/bypasses as necessary to accommodate contractors during plant modifications and upgrade construction. This was a 17.5 MGD tertiary water reclamation plant. Directed and scheduled the operations for staff of twelve operators, 24/7, Grade V plant. Regularly accepted and trained college interns. Gave training to all operations staff. Produced annual employee evaluations from notes taken on a weekly basis. Assigned realistic goals, objectives and priorities for operators to achieve. Maintained my own familiarity with the facility by regularly performing the functions of an operator. Took part in recruiting, interviewing and hiring new operators.

This job was in the same town I lived in and I was intrigued by its uniqueness. It was a 12 MGD Trickling Filter/Solids Contact plant. The sludge was treated in blending tanks by lime-stabilization. I left the Fairfield plant to take the job, and spent about one hundred days receiving complete training on all processes. Fairfield, under United Water management contacted me periodically asking if I would like to return. I missed working in Fairfield, and did return as Chief Plant Operator.

This is the same plant referenced above, in Fairfield, CA. I began as a Lead Operator. I was trained on the day shift. Not long after full training, I worked a lot of night shift. Regularly during 3 of the 4 ten hour shifts, I was the only person on the 134 acre facility. Many times I had to hustle around the plant during storms. Often took actions to successfully prevent discharge violations. Experienced periodic power failures and calmly took appropriate actions to minimize adverse effects on the processes. This plant had many processes including: Comminuters, (later upgraded to barscreens/compactors) primary clarifiers, oxidation towers, intermediate clarifiers, aeration basins, secondary clarifiers, balancing reservoirs, eight multi-media filters, chlorine (one ton cylinders) sulfer dioxide, alum, ferrous chloride. Equalization basin, DAFT thickener, plate & frame press, 40 paved drying beds, anaerobic digestion, cogeneration, recycle holding ponds. I had a quite thorough understanding of this plant before I became Chief Plant Operator.

Secondary treatment, activated sludge, deep water discharge.

This is where I began my wastewater career. I was hired as a maintenance worker. I attained a CWEA Mechanical Technologist certification. About a year later I was allowed to get an OIT certificate, and I rapidly excelled to grade lll. This Sanitary District was so small that I gained experience in all phases of wastewater treatment, including responding to sewer overflows, maintaining 23 pump and lift stations, a package plant, and all aspects of operation and maintenance in the main plant, including a lot of lab and process control.