“Be an authority in assisting business expansion”

With CEO David Gadis's direction, "DC Water" aims continually to be a world-class water utility. Their objective is to surpass customer expectations by delivering high-quality water services in a safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly manner. They offer inexpensive, high-quality drinking water; collect used water and reduce sewage discharges; and treat DC and the suburbs' wastewater and stormwater. It also maintains 9,500 fire hydrants.

David grew up in Indiana, where high school basketball is serious. Success in basketball is measured by wins, and David always wanted to win. He claims they earn clients by charging less and delivering. Focusing on people, place, and pay attracts employees. They win for their community by removing lead pipes and expanding access to water. David's work ethic, hustle, and preparation extended to basketball and business.

David joined an innovative and creative company. His former seniors, Jerry Johnson and George Hawkins gave David a determined team. He's advancing DC Water by addressing consumers', employees', and small businesses' equality needs. David says we discussed SME equity and our BDP, which lets small enterprises compete for government contracts. We founded BIDAC at the inner town hall so the Council may review DC Water's water projects and policy. Fair people, places, and pay boost job satisfaction. Our diversity events help staff feel welcomed and accepted. David wants a fair authority and ways like customer help initiatives to bring clients equity.

David's father and grandfather were Indianapolis Water Company employees. Between 1932 and 2000, there was always a Gadis who worked. David was raised to value equity. As a child, he watched his father come home from work dirty and fatigued. One day, he came home especially filthy, and David looked at him and said, "I don’t ever want to do what you do." Without missing a beat, his father looked at him and said, "Then you’d better get an education." Years later, David understood that his father and his African American Authority coworkers had to go home dirty since they had no shower or locker room. The entrances and water fountains were separate. His father and his African American coworkers were treated unfairly, even though this was common at the time.

They were some of the most reliable workers in the firm. Despite their hustle and optimistic attitude, they weren't selected for leadership posts. David promised himself that if he ever led an organization, he would treat everyone fairly, regardless of race, gender, age, or other factors.

David wants a fair authority and believes customer assistance programs and leadership on water issues impacting poor neighborhoods bring customers equity. We lead in water equity, says David. DC Water values customers, employees, and small businesses. Blueprint 2.0 prioritizes equality. They practice neighborhood equity, partnership, and stakeholder alliance. So David concentrates on how DC Water can improve, not the competition. David wants to help clients reduce their carbon footprint, make their systems more reliable, and make them more resistant to climate change.

For instance, he considers boil-water advisories and explains that every water utility has them, especially in this era of ageing water infrastructure and rapid climate change. When the customers are frustrated or have a water emergency, such as floods or a water main break/outage, David listens to them.

On September 10, 2020, an 8-inch late summer storm flooded pumps in 25 minutes. The Anacostia River Tunnel redirects 100 million gallons of runoff to the Blue Plains. The First Street Tunnel, intended to prevent flooding, was filled quickly. Sewage inundated basements during COVID. Mayor Muriel Bowser and David visited flood victims. They saw flies swarming the sewage-scented path and residents cleaning on a hot, humid day.

David's neighbors questioned him during the tour, and he supports communication even when clients criticize DC Water's performance. David adds that criticism comes with territory; it can't name a water sector peer or rival who hasn't been criticized.

David shares some of the projects happening around the Authority:

The Lead Free DC program helps District households detect if they have lead lines and offers solutions. Lead pipes will be removed by 2030. DC Water has produced tech advancements for the community. David says we observe the competitors but look ahead. Lead Free DC's authority records list lead lines. Customers have options for getting rid of lead in their water, and they should check online maps for service interruptions and boil water advisories.

Our Clean River Projects continue to benefit our community by diverting stormwater and combined sewage overflows to our Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant for cleaning and return to the Potomac. DC Water's Clean Rivers Project restores our ecosystem and waterways.

The Event Management System (EMS) improves response time for flooding or water system emergencies, such as boil water warnings and damaged mains. Customers get a faster response this way. DC Water's Event Management System is the Smart Water Project of the Year (EMS). EMS contains flood and water dashboards, an incident recording tool, and a resource management tool. This strategy speeds up DC Water's response to flooding and system faults.

DC Water enrollees receive a High Usage Notification Alert (HUNA) that sends alerts to account holders when there are strange changes in the way they use energy. This can help homeowners find costly leaks and take action before a huge, unexpected bill arrives.

David is the only wastewater representative on President Biden's National Infrastructure Advisory Council. This nomination comes as the nation prepares to invest in water and wastewater infrastructure, and he has multiple projects in progress coming ahead.

One of my favourite sayings is: "One Band, One Sound," which is a musical metaphor. When all of our employees are on the same page, reading from the same sheet music, we produce efficiently and in harmony.

During the COVID outbreak, everyone needed free potable water, which was essential. David did the unthinkable and postponed service disconnections and reconnected households. Lead Free DC and the Clean Rivers Project are still helping families and communities, and we are always looking for ways to improve how services are provided and how well they work. IE