Rianna Laughridge, WPCF Operator, City of Woodland
Rianna Laughridge, WPCF Operator, City of Woodland
Clean water professionals get into the field in many different ways, but few discover it while scuba diving. But that’s how Rianna Laughridge, Operator III at the City of Woodland, became interested in wastewater.
“I was traveling to different countries, and while scuba diving, I observed how human waste in the ocean was damaging the coral reefs. That got me interested in wastewater,” Laughridge says.
She pursued a degree in environmental sciences at California State University, Sacramento, and accepted an internship at Vacaville.
Then she was an operator-in-training for the City of Woodland, worked a short time at Pacifica, and then returned to Woodland, where she has moved up the ranks at Mach speed. She earned her grade V in just two years.
“She is an amazing person and an over-achiever,” says her nominator, Josh Viera, senior wastewater supervisor. “She started here as an OIT in 2021. I have given her more responsibilities, knowing that if she didn’t know, she’d ask, and no mistakes would be made.
“We recently had a supervisor take time off for medical reasons, and Rianna was acting supervisor during this time.”
Viera says Laughridge has had a positive impact on the plant staff by motivating them, encouraging them to achieve higher certification, and assisting them to take on more responsibilities, as she has done for herself.
“I never want to ask someone to do something I can’t do,” she says. “I want to set up my team for success.”
Laughridge mentioned that her pursuit of perfection may have sprung from her experience helping her dad in the heating and air conditioning business. She explained that she enjoyed working on the mechanical aspects of the job, especially with older HVAC systems, diagnosing problems, and finding ways to make them run more efficiently. This often involved troubleshooting and optimizing their performance, and sometimes even replacing units.
“I compete with myself,” she says, “If I have two days to get something done, I’m going to beat that and get it done in one day or half a day.
“I’m not the strongest person, but I always challenge myself to be prepared and use my smarts.”
As driven as Laughridge is, there is a softer side. “She’s caring and loving with animals,” Viera reports. “Someone recently dropped off some kittens on the road to the plant, and she fostered them and found new homes for them.”
She kept two for herself. “I love animals,” she says.
Recognize accomplished water professionals who are making a significant, positive impact on California’s water by nominating them for an Emerging Leader feature in CWEA’s Clean Water Magazine. Details here >
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