Edward Makowski, CSM4, Collection System Supervisor, Inland Empire Utilities Agency
Edward Makowski credits his time as an Eagle Scout for guiding him toward a life of community service. As an Eagle Scout, he trained to plan, organize, lead, and oversee community service projects. These experiences motivated him to pursue a career in the public sector, ultimately leading to his current role as Collection System Supervisor for the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA).
“Being an Eagle Scout taught me to lead and give back to the community,” he said.
Makowski has been a part of the water and wastewater industry for over a decade. He began his career in collections at IEUA, earning his Grade 2 certification within a year and gradually advancing to Grade 4. During his time at IEUA, he also worked at the wastewater treatment facility, obtaining his Grade 3 Wastewater Treatment Certification and his Grade 3 Advanced Water Treatment Certification. In December 2022, he transitioned into his current leadership position within the Collections Team.
Makowski explained, “I was first introduced to wastewater collections and recycled water at the City of Montclair, working in the public works department, where I learned about recycled water. It was here that I first learned of IEUA and the process of treating wastewater to produce recycled water, and decided someday I wanted to be a part of that process.
“A few years later, I had the opportunity to join IEUA, and I jumped at the chance,” he said.
He spent five years in collections before transferring to wastewater treatment to gain a deeper understanding of the treatment process. When the opportunity came up for the leadership role, Makowski decided to return to collections.
“I feel I’ve come full circle back to my roots in collections to serve in the initial phase for developing recycled water for the region and do my part to provide a drought-resilient water supply for the community.”
IEUA is a regional wastewater treatment agency and wholesale distributor of imported water, serving about 950,000 people across seven cities over 242 square miles in western San Bernardino County. The Agency offers key services: providing imported water, treating wastewater, developing recycled water, and implementing conservation programs to promote drought resilience. Furthermore, IEUA operates North America’s largest indoor composting facility in partnership with the LA County Sanitation Districts, converting 100% of its biosolids into high-quality compost from recycled materials.
IEUA’s Collections team covers 150 miles of pipe and four lift stations that send 52 MGD to its treatment plants.
“As the Collection System Supervisor, Edward exemplifies a proactive and supportive supervisory style that significantly contributes to the success of his team and the agency,” said Lucia Diaz, IEUA’s manager of Facilities and Water System Programs. “His approach encompasses goal setting, motivation, corrective action, and communication, aligning closely with the core responsibilities outlined in his job description.”
Since becoming Collections Supervisor, Diaz said Makowski’s main focus has been ensuring safety for his team and the public. She noted he has fostered a safety culture through rigorous training and awareness programs. Sharing examples of his leadership, she noted he prioritizes safety training, develops complex traffic safety plans, and supervises confined-space entry training, all underscoring his commitment to a safe working environment.
“Edward’s proactive approach to addressing safety concerns includes regular discussions of near-miss incidents during team meetings, allowing for the identification of potential hazards and the implementation of corrective measures,” Diaz said.
IEUA truck featuring Be Sewer Smart vehicle wrap designed by Edward Makowski’s team
Makowski advocates for community outreach to educate on protecting the sewer system. His team creates content for the Agency’s External Affairs team that includes the “Be Sewer Smart” campaign, targeting FOG and non-flushable wipes. He led the development of vehicle wraps for CCTV, water, and combination trucks, utilizing them as rolling billboards for the campaign. This public awareness initiative has yielded positive results, resulting in fewer instances of past problem areas in the collection system requiring cleaning.
Makowski stated that one of his proudest achievements to date has been initiating a mutual aid partnership for training and knowledge exchange, which he presented at CWEA’s 2025 Annual Conference in Palm Springs. He focuses on facilitating discussions and simulations, such as the Multi-Agency Spill Drill, while ensuring his crew of seven members remains well-prepared for emergencies, thus enhancing the organization’s overall readiness.
Makowski began his volunteer service with CWEA’s Collections Committee (state) in 2023 and assumed the position of chair in 2025. As part of his role, he hopes to encourage more people to become active in the industry.
“This is a great career with many outlets and opportunities,” he said. “Go get certified, continue to work hard, and remember the best way to learn is to listen to those who you are working beside. They are your best resources.”
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