Day in the Life of a Saco Wastewater Operator

“I do like to say that when things are going well, we’re just a glorified janitor. When things aren’t going well, we’re the guys who have to clean up the mess before it hits the fan.” - James Ferguson, a 10-year veteran operator at the Saco Water Resource Recovery Division.
In this video, the first of our day-in-the-life series focusing on the team that handles Saco’s wastewater, we present you with an in-depth feel of what it’s like to keep a treatment plant running smoothly. You’ll learn why they enjoy their work, too.
“I’ve heard stories and telltale of when the tannery was still [upriver], and you could tell what color they were dyeing the leather that day,” James said. “There were no fish, there were no paddleboarders, you didn’t have people going and swimming in the river, because that was unheard of.”
“To be able to kind of give back and make sure that we can use the river for fishing and swimming, and people can come up and enjoy the Saco Bay area, that’s just a feather in the cap for what we do.”
You can learn more about Saco’s WRRD team by visiting sacomaine.org/WRRDworkforce

Пікірлер: 42

  • @RonanTetsu
    @RonanTetsu2 жыл бұрын

    Ah, the underrated heros of civilization.

  • @emmanuelnikiti348
    @emmanuelnikiti348 Жыл бұрын

    I am a Water Treatment Plant Operator in Wewak, Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬. What a great Water Treatment Plant 👍 Thanks for this video. Appreciated 🙏

  • @paramuesh6520

    @paramuesh6520

    Жыл бұрын

    Any vacancy available?

  • @larslover6559
    @larslover65592 жыл бұрын

    Find this immensely interesting. Great and funny guy. Water treatment is a bedrock of modern society.

  • @corvette4923
    @corvette4923 Жыл бұрын

    This man is the Paul Rudd of the wastewater world.

  • @pokej8942
    @pokej8942 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for your service. Much respect!

  • @06SteveO
    @06SteveO11 ай бұрын

    It is a thankless job. People don’t realize how important it is. I refer to us at the offensive linemen of public works. If we aren’t being singled out then we are doing our job.

  • @joshuaoduroadu5376

    @joshuaoduroadu5376

    10 күн бұрын

    I agree with you cuz I'm also one.

  • @juanfranmar1225
    @juanfranmar12252 жыл бұрын

    Muy buena plática para los que nos dedicamos a las PTAR. Felicidades !!

  • @user-hr6lo8yt6x
    @user-hr6lo8yt6x Жыл бұрын

    I've been thinking about maybe applying for a job in wastewater for a couple months now. I think it's something I would enjoy.

  • @scummyrobins6299
    @scummyrobins62992 жыл бұрын

    Wish I worked in a nice clean plant like this. My waste water plant is a disaster lol.

  • @ezdinero9813

    @ezdinero9813

    2 жыл бұрын

    Lol

  • @markfukkerberg1372

    @markfukkerberg1372

    Жыл бұрын

    This scares me. I just got hired as an operator and I have no idea what to expect when I walk into that compound. Last thing I want is to get other people’s poo on me. Or dirty water to splash on me 😬 I might have a change of heart and find something else to do.

  • @SomeSloan

    @SomeSloan

    Жыл бұрын

    @@markfukkerberg1372 how’s it now? Any updates??

  • @freddyfreddy42

    @freddyfreddy42

    Жыл бұрын

    Lol 😂 well ur definitely going to get dirty, I’m upgrading to a new sewer plant and I can definitely say you won’t stay clean for long 🤢 you’ll like it though 😉

  • @freddyfreddy42
    @freddyfreddy42 Жыл бұрын

    Awesome 😎 will be starting soon

  • @abin5699
    @abin5699 Жыл бұрын

    Great information!

  • @atrguwop5754
    @atrguwop5754 Жыл бұрын

    Great video!

  • @glst1974
    @glst1974 Жыл бұрын

    I did NOT know about the flushable wipes. Good to know. Sorry guys.

  • @sgtForgione
    @sgtForgione2 жыл бұрын

    So cool!

  • @javonscott4777
    @javonscott4777 Жыл бұрын

    His first statement is the truth

  • @jslack8973
    @jslack8973 Жыл бұрын

    1:20 please tell me that’s grease 😅

  • @evangel1737
    @evangel17372 жыл бұрын

    Is this Saco Maine ?

  • @CityofSacoTV

    @CityofSacoTV

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yes!

  • @johndoe-wt4ui
    @johndoe-wt4ui2 жыл бұрын

    He makes it seem like it’s hard but it’s easy work

  • @sorenrousseau

    @sorenrousseau

    2 жыл бұрын

    Or as we say, same day different shit.

  • @unicornscandab7980
    @unicornscandab7980 Жыл бұрын

    Does this require a college degree? Or is it just certification thing???

  • @DrReginaldFinleySr

    @DrReginaldFinleySr

    Жыл бұрын

    They prefer a college degree but most of these facilities either train in-house or send you to specialized schools that train you in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, mechanical operations, safety, routines, and laws that pertain to the profession. This is how you gain your certification.

  • @ricardovazquez2274
    @ricardovazquez2274 Жыл бұрын

    What's the salary like? I've seen it's like 15 to 20 an hour

  • @mcshidnfard456

    @mcshidnfard456

    Жыл бұрын

    Im in Texas, every thing around here seems to pay 20-30

  • @ricardovazquez2274

    @ricardovazquez2274

    Жыл бұрын

    @@mcshidnfard456 I'm south Texas

  • @LilRicky1343

    @LilRicky1343

    8 ай бұрын

    Im a operator in training making 26 most guys make 30s-40s

  • @bryantmiranda6057

    @bryantmiranda6057

    7 ай бұрын

    ​@@LilRicky1343that sounds pretty great. I just got my application for the apprenticeship program. How do you like it?

  • @jakejones2927
    @jakejones2927 Жыл бұрын

    I have no experience, high school diploma, how hard is it to get a job as a water operator?

  • @LilRicky1343

    @LilRicky1343

    8 ай бұрын

    I’d apply and get them to pay for your schooling it’s super cheap schooling.

  • @conco

    @conco

    4 ай бұрын

    not very hard, most places love when you have zero experience.

  • @tongasamoa89
    @tongasamoa892 жыл бұрын

    Grade y’all pretty lucky us is grade 4

  • @ezdinero9813

    @ezdinero9813

    2 жыл бұрын

    U would be a supervisor over there with him haha

  • @kapatid_fred
    @kapatid_fred Жыл бұрын

    Shout out please sir, thank you

  • @Steve-pn2cq
    @Steve-pn2cq2 жыл бұрын

    what about paper towel? Can I flush that.

  • @ronnieperez8519

    @ronnieperez8519

    Жыл бұрын

    No, those don't dissolve as easily as toilet paper does

  • @EChunter
    @EChunter Жыл бұрын

    Cry me a river .