Operations Department

The Operations Department, HRSD’s largest department, is responsible for operating and maintaining all of HRSD’s treatment plants, pump stations, pipelines, buildings and equipment.  This department also ensures employee safety and compliance with all environmental regulations and permits.  The five divisions that comprise the Operations Department are the Facility Support Division, Interceptor Division, Safety Division, Special Projects Division and Treatment Division.

The Facility Support Division provides automotive, carpentry, electrical and machine shop services.  Division personnel also are responsible for instrumentation, controls and automation at HRSD facilities.  Maintenance of HRSD’s buildings is another responsibility of the Facility Support Division. 

The Interceptor Division is responsible for planning, operating and maintaining over 500 miles of pipelines and 82 pump stations in Hampton Roads that convey wastewater from the locality-operated collection systems to an HRSD treatment plant. 

The Safety Division is responsible for employee and public safety for all HRSD departments and facilities.

The Special Projects Division was created to provide support (development, testing, evaluation, piloting, planning and implementation) of new initiatives to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of HRSD operations.  This division is responsible for coordinating HRSD research and development efforts with national professional organizations, environmental organizations, other wastewater agencies and industry partners, as well as local and national universities.

The Treatment Division is responsible for operation and maintenance of HRSD’s 13 treatment plants, discharge permit compliance, solids utilization and the Small Communities Program.  The treatment process is highly complex and involves physical, biological and chemical processes.  Each plant has its own manager and is run as part of an overall system.  Their work includes not only the day-to-day treatment of wastewater but also creative and rapid response to problems that may occur.  Long-term project and process planning and management are additional duties.