Women of Water

Women of Water: Working in the Water/Wastewater Industry

In an industry thought to be predominately male, many women work to keep water and wastewater systems running, maintain critical infrastructure and protect the health of their communities and environment. Tracey Lazowski, Charlotte Plante, Megan Sauve, Samantha Schlachter and Felicity Tsou are five operators working across Alberta, representing a small number of these women.

Tracey Lazowski

Tracey Lazowski, Town of Bruderheim

Tracey Lazowski, Town of Bruderheim

Tracey Lazowski moved to Fort Saskatchewan and was looking for a new direction. At 54 years old, she was unsure of what she wanted to do but when a long-time friend asked her to come and work for the Town of Bruderheim, she decided to give it a try. Not knowing a lot about water/wastewater, she didn’t realize the extent of the work to be done. She began learning about the entire system and found the work enjoyable and incredibly interesting.

Requiring her to learn a lot in a short amount of time, her biggest challenge in the field was earning Level I Certification. Though, within a year and a half of working for the town, she earned her Level I Water Distribution, Wastewater Treatment and Wastewater Collection Certifications. Now invested in an industry focused on water and wastewater, Tracey’s favorite side is wastewater, where she works on the system used to collect wastewater, treat it and release it back into the environment.

In her career thus far, Dennis Tomuschat has made the biggest impact, “He believed in me that I could do the job, always reassuring and always there to answer many of the questions I had and still have.”

Charlotte Plante

Charlotte Plante, City of Calgary

Charlotte Plante, City of Calgary

Charlotte Plante transitioned to a role at the City of Brandon Water Treatment Plant after working as a lifeguard. As a Junior Operator, the city trained her on the job, where she earned her certifications in water and power engineering. After some time away from the industry, she moved to Calgary and was fortunate to gain a position at the Bonnybrook Wastewater Treatment Plant.

From walking outside completing physical work to sitting inside focusing on a mental task, Charlotte enjoys the variety in her day-to-day duties. “I like the fact that I am helping to keep the plant running to make quality effluent water.” Not only is she provided flexibility in her duties but also in her work schedule. When working at a large plant like Bonnybrook, operations are monitored 24/7, requiring an operator to perform their responsibilities in shifts. With this schedule, she finds a balance between meeting with friends and family and booking personal appointments without the hours of a standard 8-5 job.

She encourages other women pursuing a career in water/wastewater to be open-minded, ready to learn new things and unafraid to ask questions.

Gary Harvatt from Brandon, Manitoba is a mentor she will always be grateful for. “He was so helpful in my early years when starting in this industry. His leadership and guidance allowed me to continue in this industry.”

Megan Sauve

Megan Sauve, Municipal District of Greenview

Megan Sauve, Municipal District of Greenview

Megan Sauve’s path into the water/wastewater industry began when she moved to the Town of Grande Cache to become a correctional officer. While waiting to start, she obtained a temporary job as a labourer in the Town’s Public Works Department. After showing more interest in the field, she became an operator in training only a few months later.

While rewarding, working in water/wastewater also presents its own set of complexities. For Megan, her biggest learning curve has been working with aging infrastructure, forcing her to adapt and think outside of the box. “Being present, working as a team, alongside engineers and contractors helps to gain more experience for when the next problem does happen.” With plenty of opportunities to work in new areas and solve different issues, women entering the industry can empower themselves, becoming Jills of all trades.

In her interactions with other operators, she has also recognized passion from every single one, which is a rare thing to find in other industries. “The work we do can often go unrecognized by the public but by attending training courses and conferences we are able to share experiences, feel acknowledged and supported within this community.”

She credits Grant Dixon as the reason why she chose the water/wastewater industry and highlights Sean Healy and Stuart Taylor as broadening her experiences as an operator and as a person.

Samantha Schlachter

Samantha Schlachter, Aquatech Canadian Water Services

Samantha Schlachter, Aquatech Canadian Water Services

Samantha Schlachter's career in water/wastewater began shortly after becoming a single mom, when she was 20 years old. At the time, she worked a part time job with a man who was also an Operations Supervisor. She casually mentioned her interest in getting her “ticket” and offered to help him, while also hoping that it would lead to a good career. The rest is now history.

While every day is different than the day before, Samantha welcomes the diverse nature of her job and what it means for her community. “I am grateful to go home at the end of the day knowing I’ve provided safe drinking water to my communities, and that I have discharged clean water back to the river on the other end of my system.”

As a young woman in a male-dominated industry, it can be hard finding a voice. In some situations, it’s easy to feel uncomfortable or intimidated and struggle to speak up. Samantha highlights the importance of showing up, impressing with intelligence and finding a confident voice. It can be tricky, but practice makes perfect.

She’s been fortunate to have bosses in the industry, who have always been patient and never afraid to share new information, including Allan Kendrick and Todd Faith. Another mentor would fill whiteboards with questions to work through. This provided Samantha with an extra step to advance her education that she’ll never forget.

Felicity Tsou

Felicity Tsou, City of Calgary

Felicity Tsou, City of Calgary

Felicity Tsou immigrated to Canada, eager to start a new career. With a degree in Environmental Engineering, she recognized the importance of earning Canadian education and building valuable connections. She ultimately decided to pursue the NAIT Water & Wastewater Technician Program. Upon graduation, she was hired by the City of Calgary.

With water being used around the clock, her plant is required to operate 24/7. Maintaining this demand, she has learned to manage by keeping organized and maintaining a good work-life balance. Emergencies can arise but knowing that her work helps protect the environment brings a sense of fulfillment and a connection to everyday life. “The industry provides stability, as the demand for water will always ensure job security, regardless of economic fluctuations.”

In an industry that’s constantly evolving due to new technologies, processes and regulations, her best advice is to never stop learning. It’s important to stay ahead and update your knowledge and skills. Physical fitness and health are also essential. Operating stiff valves, lifting heavy pumps or hosing vessels can also be physically demanding. “Maintaining your physical well-being will empower you to meet the physical demands of the job with confidence and resilience.”

Several mentors have influenced her throughout her career, including Mike Roppo, Cliff Ayrey and Sandra Kotch. “As a woman in the field, Sandra has been a role model and a constant source of encouragement always willing to help me find answers to my questions and resolve any doubts.”

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From working on an entire water system in a small town to specializing at a wastewater treatment plant in a big city, these women’s experiences provide examples of career opportunities within the water/wastewater industry. Whether looking for a new path, changing industries or pursuing post-secondary education, anyone can start a career in water/wastewater at any time. The field is always evolving but with a constant need for the treatment and distribution of clean drinking water and the collection and treatment of wastewater, skilled water/wastewater operators will always be needed.

Thank you to Tracey Lazowski, Charlotte Plante, Megan Sauve, Samantha Schlachter and Felicity Tsou for their contributions.