Phil Peter, Mechanical Technician, South Orange County Wastewater Authority
Compliments, Ian Loska, a fellow SOCWA mechanic.
Phil Peter, Mechanical Technician, South Orange County Wastewater Authority
Mechanical technician Phil Peter takes great pride in his position at the J.B. Latham plant in Dana Point. This is the same facility that his grandfather helped to design while serving as the City of San Clemente engineer from the early ’60s to the late ’70s. His pride comes not only from his grandfather’s efforts but also from the work he himself does to improve the quality of life for those in his community.
After attending the Universal Technical Institute to become an automotive technician with the hope of working in NASCAR one day, Peter pursued different opportunities that eventually led him to his current career path. One of those paths involved working as an engineer on a crab boat in Alaska. After moving back to California, he realized that his experience on the boat was similar to the knowledge needed for a position at the South Orange County Wastewater Authority (SOCWA).
“It is amazing how similar the mechanics in marine crafts are to the pump systems we work with here at the plant,” he said.
Since starting at SOCWA nine years ago, Peter has been involved in a variety of projects, which he says keeps the job interesting.
“A lot of the equipment here is older, and I really like the ability to make something that is old new again and the opportunity to make it better,” he said.
According to Peter’s supervisor, Ernesto Leal, Peter’s solid mechanical background allows him to serve and support all company vehicles. Leal said that many times, other members of the staff utilize Peter’s knowledge to perform general maintenance on the vehicles, as well as troubleshoot “Check Engine” warnings.
“Phil consistently employs extensive knowledge within all SOCWA Treatment Plants, including knowledge of tools, machinery, pumps, valves, and piping,” Leal said. “Phil utilizes this knowledge to manage small capital projects, emergency repairs, engineering support, and construction contractor accountability.”
Peter recently worked on two projects that allowed him to utilize his skills. He rebuilt the export pump at SOCWA’s Coastal Treatment Plant and demolished the north daft circulation pump and pad to build a new concrete pad to install the new pump.
Addition
ally, he successfully managed and completed the cleaning projects for two digesters at SOCWA’s JB Latham Treatment Plant. The project included planning with other departments to accommodate the required equipment for cleaning the digester and the final steps of releasing a clean and safe digester to the contractors for rehabilitation outlined in the construction project.
Leal also reported that Peter’s expertise was needed when the district’s critical emergency Godwin pump failed to start.
“Phil worked through every mechanical possibility and eventually narrowed the problem to a faulty ignition wiring diode. This problem was a challenging issue to find. Few, if any, would have been able to locate it,” he said.
When SOCWA needed an onsite crane operator, Peter took the necessary courses and received his crane certification from the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO). This ability allowed Peter to operate and lead the crane operations to clean out a secondary tank filled with sand removed from the digester cleaning.
“This achievement was a big help for our agency,” Leal said. “Phil is always willing to take care of any job daily. He routinely leads by example with his dedication and hard work.”
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