Glenn Maggard, Rockville’s water treatment plant superintendent, has been with the city since August 2014.
How would you broadly describe your job?
My job is to supply Rockville with the best water possible, meeting or exceeding regulations set by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Maryland Department of the Environment. I manage all aspects of our treatment facility and process, including maintenance, equipment replacement, operational and treatment strategies, laboratory testing and requirements, staffing, treatment troubleshooting, budget, short- and long-term facility planning, construction projects, and interacting with other city departments.
That sounds like a big job. What experience did you have before arriving in Rockville?
I spent 33 years in the water industry in Michigan, including 27 years with the City of Ann Arbor, where I was the resident plant expert and mentored and advised many operators and supervisors. I still get calls from the Ann Arbor staff, picking my brain for some little-known fact or quick analysis of a problem.
You recently received a prestigious award. Tell us about it.
I was presented with the Raymond J. Faust Award at the Michigan Section of the American Water Works Association’s annual conference in September. As the MI-AWWA’s highest award, it recognizes outstanding personal service in the water supply field. I was honored to be nominated, and even more so with being selected as the 2017 recipient.
Anything else?
Rockville’s water treatment plant staff have an enormous responsibility. The plant runs 24/7 and the city relies on staff for their training, expertise and quick decision-making to continuously supply our customers with excellent-quality water. At stake is public health and safety – we cannot fail. Rockville residents can depend on us to be that good steward of their water supply and system, working diligently behind the scenes to keep the water safe and flowing.
Learn more about Rockville’s water at www.rockvillemd.gov/water.