Chris Kaakaty, P.E

Serve as company-wide resource for plant operations, sanitary sewer overflows reduction strategies, treatment technologies, master planning and environmental compliance

Director of Wastewater Operations for the last decade, where I managed the city’s comprehensive wastewater operation system and established a reputation for engineering excellence, regulatory compliance and exceeding performance objectives. Responsibilities includes the overall management of operation and maintenance of facilities to provide wastewater collection and treatment services to over 1.4 million people in the City of Dallas, and 11 customer cities. This includes a 24/7 operation of two wastewater treatment plants, approximately 4100 miles of wastewater collection system, EPA approved Pretreatment Program and three process laboratories. I oversaw a diverse staff of more than 500 employees during my time as Dallas Water Utilities’ director of wastewater operations and developed leadership skills in all areas of wastewater utility systems. I delivered a strong regulatory compliance record without a single violation in his ten years as director. I have played an integral role in the design of a cogeneration facility to burn methane generated from the wastewater treatment process and produce renewable energy, reducing the city’s grid-derived needs by four percent. Additionally, under my leadership, the City of Dallas wastewater system won several awards from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), Water Environment Association of Texas (WEAT), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and most recently the state’s Environmental Excellence Award in 2012 for the Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) program. The FOG program has helped the City to achieve over 90 % reduction in grease related SSOs. My other specialty areas include wet-weather services, sustainability, quality and safety performance, odor mitigation and permitting.

Managed the Pretreatment Program to ensure compliance with changing state and federal environmental regulations related to the approved Pretreatment program and the operation of three laboratories with an stringent QA/QC program as required by permits issued to City of Dallas Evaluated organizational needs and set goals, priorities, performance measures, milestones; and communicated with the staff to ensure that program resources are being utilized to achieve cost-effective service. Effectively represented the department in various settings including technical and budgetary meetings, town hall meetings, professional organizations, City Attorney’s office and council.

•Reviewed plans and specifications, evaluated proposals, and made recommendations to ensure projects such as sludge master plan, odor control, plant expansion and improvements, and other new or existing infrastructure complies with City requirements, state and federal standards. •Applied research methodology by gathering and analyzing data to solve diverse problems such as mitigation of odor generated by the sludge handling facilities, investigating material quality, inspecting field conditions, and conducting environmental assessments to determine solutions. •Performed quantitative analysis to identify and prioritize expenditures of funds for future project, calculated cost estimates, conducted feasibility studies such as equipment’s lease versus purchase, odor control options, and forecasted facility problems that deal with day to day plan operation. •Developed scopes of work (i.e., tasks and milestone) and project budgets to forecast construction schedules and establish project objectives.• Represented the plant on several projects teams commissioned to recommend, design, modify, and address environmental issues. •Performed troubleshooting on a variety of issues to solve daily plant operation and recommended improvement/upgrades required for efficient facility operation. •Recommended and conducted applicable studies such as odor mitigation, sludge conditioning for better dewaterablility, sludge rising and submitted abstracts and papers for professional representation

•Conducted a variety of complex tests, interprets results and advised water/wastewater treatment plant staff on changes to the treatment process based on lab test •Maintained laboratory supply inventory to ensure availability of equipment, instruments and chemicals •Conducted maintenance and calibration of lab equipment to ensure testing standards are met and assisted in writing specifications for purchase of new equipment • Analyzed, and summarized various reports and special studies for submission to division personnel, citizens, Environmental Protection Agency, Texas Commission on Environmental quality and other agencies.