Sandeep Sidhu, LAB4,
Chemist III, Delta Diablo
Forever curious and a lifelong learner, Sandeep Sidhu has served as an analytical and research chemist for more than 25 years. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry before joining a private-sector environmental laboratory as an analyst in 2001. There, she gained experience with a wide variety of instruments, methods, and quality systems while managing clients’ needs for speed and accuracy.
“I was extremely lucky,” she says. “Soon after joining the industry, I was deeply involved in method development and research, working alongside skilled chemists and inspiring leaders who taught me a great deal.”
Sidhu joined the public sector in 2021, taking a position at Delta Diablo as a Chemist III and Quality Manager in the laboratory. Delta Diablo serves around 218,000 customers in Contra Costa County’s Antioch, Pittsburg, and Bay Point. The District handles about 13 million gallons of wastewater daily, emphasizing regulatory compliance and sustainable, innovative methods.
At Delta Diablo, she has not only contributed analytical expertise from her private-sector experience to help train new chemists, but she has also successfully brought the District’s laboratory into compliance with The NELAC Institute (TNI) standards. She holds a CWEA Analyst Grade 4 certificate.
“It is truly remarkable what Sandeep has had to manage,” says Jungjoon Park, Laboratory Manager, who nominated her for the Emerging Leader award. “Because of her leadership, she is widely recognized as a key leader within our laboratory. She works closely with other chemists, actively listens to their feedback, and continues to implement positive changes. She also takes the lead in validating monthly data and preparing data sets for submission in the Self-Monitoring Report for the treatment plant, updates our laboratory policy documents and implements them, and leads our bio-assay testing.”
Sidhu is also leading the effort to bring the laboratory’s discrete analyzer online through method development. And she is assisting with the District’s agreement to support monitoring for the City of Antioch’s new Desalination Plant.
“Thanks to her dedication, our laboratory was able to maintain its certification,” Park adds. “More importantly, Sandeep continued to contribute to meaningful and positive improvements, going well beyond simply keeping the laboratory operational during a difficult time.”
Even though her workload is significant, Sidhu sees her tasks as a service to the customers who depend on Delta Diablo for clean water. She believes that while her experience in the private sector introduced her to new instrumentation and methods, her current position is important to the health and well-being of her community.
“We’re not just looking at numbers here,” she said. “What we do behind the scenes impacts the lives of our citizens.”
That commitment to public safety was demonstrated when Sidhu took the lead in coordinating third-party laboratories during a major spill in December 2024, according to Park. “Her efforts played a critical role in effectively managing the spill response and protecting the Delta. Her dedication directly supported the District’s mission of protecting the environment and public health.”
Sidhu welcomes experiences like these as she continues to grow and nurture her sense of curiosity.
“I love experiencing new journeys and learning from great people…people who lead with integrity and humility. Many have played a part in mentoring me and helping me grow and get to where I am today,” she explained.
“I see growth as a continuous process of learning and collaborating. What truly motivates me is being able to lift up my peers, create genuine alignment, and contribute to our shared achievements.”
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