AWWA Water Champion — Carlos Ortiz Rosado

Carlos A. Ortiz Rosado, vice president and operations director at ETAG LLC in Puerto Rico, is a member of the International Council at AWWA. He has also served as Section Director and Section Chair for Puerto Rico AWWA. He is one of the original members of the AWWA Young Professionals Committee.

Education/certifications/awards

• Four years of studies in arts (paintings, prints and drawings) from the University of Puerto Rico
• Puerto Rico Drinking Water Treatment Plant Operator, Category 4
• Puerto Rico Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator, Category 4
• Water Environment Federation (WEF) Hatfield Award
• WEF, Select Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers (5S)
• Puerto Rico Section 2011 Young Professional of the Year

What does your job entail?

My role is to oversee the company’s operations. This includes administration, contracts, budgets, proposals, procurement, finance, personnel, operations and maintenance of potable water and wastewater treatment systems, and inspection and cleaning of fire water tanks and potable water tanks using ROV technology.

How did you decide to work in the water sector?

The answer for this one is fun in my point of view! I didn’t decide to enter the world of water or water treatment. It was almost imposed on me by my father, a former section director for Puerto Rico and member of the AWWA Board of Directors. I crashed my 1973 Volkswagen Super Beetle, so my father offered me the opportunity to work in an industrial wastewater treatment plant so I could pay for the damages and buy another vehicle. So, since 1996, I’ve been involved in the water sector.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

What I enjoy the most is how the world of water is challenging and changing. You have to be on your toes every day looking for ways to keep water safe (potable) and treating wastewater to maintain the health of a population.

What has your AWWA membership and involvement meant to you and your career?

Being part of AWWA has greatly helped my professional career, not only in my development as a water professional but also in my knowledge, leadership, networking with fellow water professionals, and keeping up to date with technology, standards, and new regulations.

How does the water sector benefit from international collaboration?

Planet Earth is 90% water, so dedicating yourself to protecting water — our most vital resource — is a global effort to share knowledge so we can continue working toward a better world through better water.

How can the water sector engage young professionals and encourage them to pursue careers in water?

Young professionals have the drive to move things forward, but they lack experience — and with good mentors and work guides, they do a phenomenal job. Leaders who have young professionals on their team should give them the opportunity to continue their professional growth through seminars like AWWA’s YP Summit and encourage them to participate as volunteers in the various activities that take place in AWWA Sections. Young professionals are the future; we all depend on clean water to survive on this planet Earth. What I mean by this is that those of us who work in the water sector will always have job security.

What do you like to do when you’re not at work or an AWWA function?

When I’m not working, I usually train for 10k, 21k, and 42k races, or I’m paddleboarding, or training competition dogs. Some of my hobbies include taking photographs, making bonsai trees, traveling, and enjoying life.