Meet the people of TMWA whose commitment to serve our community ensures our water quality is among the best in the country.
Dan Dourte, Facilities & Grounds Maintenance
What brought you to TMWA and where did you work before?
I worked for 7 years in landscaping at a private company. I have worked at TMWA 5 years.
How does your job at TMWA differ from other jobs you’ve had and other places you’ve worked?
There is a wide variety of work that comes up in grounds and facilities maintenance, in addition to our normal routine, that requires me to be resourceful and creative.
What do you love most about your job?
I’m in my element – the outdoors! I’m in the sun, the fresh air and the dirt—I love it.
When did your interest in working outdoors begin?
I grew up that way and as far back as I can remember, ever since I was a toddler, I was always outside with toys and tools.
What is unique about your job at TMWA?
Anywhere in the world you can do facilities and grounds maintenance, but to me Nevada’s terrain, landscape and environment are pretty unique and you get to work in the high desert.
What have you learned working at TMWA?
I’d say I’ve really learned more in-depth knowledge about the things I work with every day from irrigation to landscape maintenance, including knowledge of shrubs and trees and how they grow.
What do you do on a typical day on the job?
That all depends on the season. All summer long I’m making lists of things that need to be repaired in the off-season so we can be ready for service again in the spring. In the wintertime it’s important that we catch up on all of the repairs and preventative maintenance that we can’t do while the systems are running in the summer. I start my day with a list of things and prioritize what needs to be done that day. My list can include weed abatement and fire breaks (making sure there is defensible space around TMWA property), checking the irrigation and combating leaks so we don’t waste water, maintaining backflows at our sites which protects the water system (we comply with backflow prevention standards just like any other commercial property) and checking equipment to make sure it’s working safely, especially since we work in public access areas.
Do you have a favorite piece of equipment?
I rely on my hands a lot, but if I can’t use my hands I use a chainsaw!
How has TMWA invested in your professional development?
They invested in my Backflow Certification. That opened my eyes to the whole backflow prevention program and how it protects the water supply. Also, I’ve maintained my Pesticide Applicator’s Certification. Having that certification helps people to be accountable and responsible when using chemicals.
What is your best memory working at TMWA?
The day that I was awarded the job – I was very glad to be able to enter the position and it’s been that way ever since.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment while working at TMWA?
I wouldn’t nail it down to one thing. For me it’s more about setting standards and meeting them every day.
What does TMWA’s Quality. Delivered. tagline mean to you?
I like the Quality part, because we take pride in what we do and the Delivered part stands for everybody involved in the effort to deliver the water.
How does your role help ensure that TMWA delivers its Quality. Delivered. tagline?
If we want to have access to our sites on other people’s property, including well buildings, reservoirs, and pumps we have to make sure that all of the proper permits and agreements are in place and we have to make sure we’re in compliance with the terms of the permits and agreements.
What encouragement would you give young professionals entering into this field?
Wear sunscreen.
