NASSCO Report – Manhole Best Practices in Sunnyvale, California
Ten years ago, the City of Sunnyvale, California, faced a severe issue when a manhole was seriously compromised by H2S gases, resulting in wall loss down to the rebar, and posing a potential health hazard to the community. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley between San Jose and San Francisco and bordering on the San Francisco Bay made this issue pressing due to the potential environmental impact, as well as the dense population and high traffic volume.
Jerry Barajas, the wastewater supervisor for the City and also chair of the California Water Environment Association (CWEA), understood the importance of maintaining and rehabilitating collections system structures. He was also familiar with maintaining the Sunnyvale system in the face of these logistical challenges.
For this particular project, Barajas had seen the Madewell composite liner product on display at a local trade show conducted by CWEA and brought in Horacio Franco, owner operator of H&R Underground. The contractor assessed the damage and devised a plan to restore the structural and functional capacity of the manhole and prevent future H2S deterioration or potential hazard. The rehabilitation was successful.
When Barajas was asked why the City chose this method of manhole rehabilitation he shared that the technology provided peace of mind for long-term results. For instance, a manhole reconstructed a decade ago still looks brand new after power washing.
Sunnyvale manages its wastewater collections operations with a strong focus on integrity and employee satisfaction. Employees who are dedicated, continuously learning, and performing well advance within the organization. This approach has built a core of talent that keeps Sunnyvale at the forefront of efficiency and innovation, complemented by specialized contractors.
Creating a High-Performance Culture
Education and engagement are key to this high-performance culture. New technologies are regularly introduced to staff, fostering a culture of learning. Every three years, the city reevaluates its standard operating procedures (SOPs), encouraging the entire team to contribute to continuous improvement. This approach promotes ownership and pride in workmanship, resulting in outstanding service quality and minimal disruptions, enhancing Sunnyvale’s quality of life.
Barajas, in his role as chair of the CWEA Collection Committee, has made education and engagement core to his leadership principles. How do you create a high-performance culture within an organization like the California Water Environment Association? You listen, observe, and then act. For instance, Barajas moved educational classes to the center of the state, addressing the underserved areas of Central California that had limited access to certification courses and qualified instructors. This is a prime example of education and engagement in action.
Well-known and well-respected, Barajas is making significant strides both within and beyond Sunnyvale. Most of his 14 direct reports hold certifications in NASSCO’s Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP) which is a prerequisite for its Manhole Assessment Certification Program (MACP), providing further integrity in the assessment, maintenance and repair of its sewer structures. Most also hold CWEA collections certifications, enabling the team to communicate effectively about manhole defects, pipeline assessment, and repairs, making accurate interpretations on condition assessment reports.
This common language fosters best practices and leads to predictable, high-quality outcomes, embodying a high-performance culture.
Horacio Franco is owner of H&R Underground. Donald Rigby is with Madewell Products Corp. Both are members of the NASSCO Sewer Structure Rehabilitation Committee.
