The City of Manassas Department of Public Works and Utilities recently welcomed Derek Howard as their new compliance officer. A 20-year veteran chemist and environmental specialist from Florida, Howard is responsible for ensuring safe drinking water in Manassas City and working with the City of Manassas Treatment plant operators, the Virginia Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Quality. The Manassas Public Works/Utilities Department just released the 2012 Water Quality Report, available in digital format on their website. For information about Manassas City Water Quality, go to www.manassascity.org/waterqualityreport.
“Derek is an excellent addition to our public works team, with his background in environmental science, combined with his technical understanding of the complex issues that surround water quality make him a perfect fit for compliance officer,” said Mike Moon, director of public works and utilities for the City of Manassas. “This year, we’re not mailing out our 2012 Water Quality Report, rather we’re directing customers to go online to review it; saving trees, saving paper, is just one more way to be environmentally conscious,” said Moon.
For those who do not have access to the Internet or prefer a hard copy of the 2012 Water Quality Report, customers may visit or call the Manassas Utilities/Public Work Department at 703-257-8245.
Howard resides with his three dogs, a Great Dane, Yellow Labrador and a Dachshund. An avid outdoorsman, he stays active with soccer, scuba diving, kayaking and growing peppers, creating his own special ‘hot’ sauce.
Howard is very involved in the Manassas, Va. community, where he recently gave a presentation on the T. Nelson Elliot Dam to a group of Girls Scouts at a local school, and is working on a water treatment presentation to show to local Manassas schools, helping to educate the younger citizens about the importance of maintaining water quality.
ABOUT CITY OF MANASSAS
Established in1913, the City of Manassas Utilities/Public Works department ensures the availability of safe, reliable water usage, electric utilities, as well as provides responsive maintenance and collection services at an affordable cost to citizens of Manassas, Va., Manassas Park, Va. and parts of Prince William County, Va. It is noted for its environment-friendly projects and equipment, while tasked with capital projects that enhance public and private infrastructure. The utilities team participates in community fundraisers, like Toys for Tots, the United Way, American Public Power Association Tree Power and Arbor Day. The department holds memberships with America Public Power Association, American Water Works Association, American Public Works Association and the Prince William County Chamber of Commerce.
The City of Manassas, Va., is an independent, full service city of 10-square miles in Northern Virginia. The City is rich in history and the Manassas Junction of railroads played a pivotal role in the American Civil War. The City has a population of 35,821, owns its own public utilities, has the busiest general aviation airport in Virginia and is part of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region. Manassas has been recognized by the Virginia Municipal League and other national and state organizations for its highly successful neighborhood improvement programs and by the Government Finance Officers Association for excellence in financial reporting and budgeting. For more information, go to www.manassascity.org or call 703-257-8219.
