Oakley resident Jess Hague has won the prestigious Electrical/Instrumentation Person of the Year Award from the California Water Environment Association (San Francisco Bay Section).

Hague is presently an instrumentation technician II with Delta Diablo Sanitation District (DDSD). Prior to joining DDSD in 2007, he was involved with the startup and maintenance of two power plants in the East San Francisco Bay Area. The award recognizes Hague’s outstanding understanding of electrical/instrumentation technology relating to wastewater collection and/or treatment.

Hague works closely with plant operators to correctly analyze plant performance in order to improve and optimize processes. His work modifying chlorination systems recently resulted in a decrease in chemical use at the facility, saving $120,000 per year. The award also reflects Hague’s involvement in a study performed by UC Berkeley at the DDSD Recycled Water Facility to help determine the maximum amount of properly treated water that can pass through the facility for expansion purposes.

DDSD operates one of the largest industrial recycled water plants in California, as well as the Delta Household Hazardous Waste Collection facility, which serves all of East Contra Costa County. In May of 2009, the DDSD was recognized as the best mid-sized water treatment plant in the State of California.

In July of 2009, the district was honored nationally with a Platinum Peak Performance Award. Achieved by only 2 percent of wastewater treatment operations nationwide, the award acknowledges public wastewater treatment facilities for 100-percent operating compliance with its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.