Kevin Wood, Senior Manager of Water Quality, oversees PWSA’s Water Quality and Laboratory departments. Alongside our dedicated team of water professionals and public servants at the Water Treatment Plant, he helps deliver on our organization’s greatest promise – the production and delivery of safe and reliable drinking water for all communities we serve.
What made you decide to join PWSA? I joined PWSA after almost five years with the Oakmont Water Authority – which is just up the Allegheny – because it seemed like a great next step in my career. I look forward to making my own contributions to the transformation that I already see very much underway at the organization.
What are your favorite challenges to tackle? I love tackling a challenge of any kind, but my favorites are always chemistry- or math-related. One of the more exciting parts of this industry is that us professionals face new challenges in water treatment almost every day.
What sort of impact do you hope to have on the Pittsburgh community? I hope to optimize our water quality and treatment processes even more to continue to deliver all-important potable water to every consumer. Through public outreach, my group also hopes to build relationships with our local schools and help support their STEM programs around the topics of chemistry and water quality and show to young people how rewarding a career in the public water utility sector can be.
What do you like doing outside work? I love being outside or doing anything that gets me outside, including any sports activity. Spending time with my family is of utmost importance to me. The beach is my happy place, and I enjoy wake boarding or surfing when I can get to the shore!
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard? This is an easy one. I got this from my parents when I was young: challenge yourself every day. Never be or become complacent. Complacency erodes to laziness. This can be applied to every aspect of life.
What’s the weirdest fact you know? Pigeons were once trained by the U.S. Coast Guard to spot people lost at sea. In testing rounds, the pigeons spotted targets on the first pass 90 percent of the time – far greater than their human counterparts.
