Long-Time Valley Sanitary District Leader Retires
William “Bill” Teague, a distinguished board member at Valley Sanitary District has announced his retirement following the end of his current term. Bill started his employment with Valley Sanitary District in 1951 at the age of 19 and became the General Manager at 24. In the early 1980s, he became the youngest President of CASA. Bill was a leader and innovator within the wastewater industry. He brought a new, forward-thinking technology to wastewater treatment by installing the Zimpro Unit, a wet air oxidation technology used to treat wastewater sludge.

Under his leadership, Valley Sanitary District received many awards and recognitions. Bill eventually retired in 1985. In 1991, he was elected to the Valley Sanitary District Board of Directors where he will serve out his term through December 2024. He served as President for 19 of the 34 years on the Board. Bill has been a vital member of the community and he has undoubtedly touched many lives during his 67-year career. As he prepares to conclude his term in December 2024, he leaves behind a legacy that will inspire future generations. We wish Bill a happy retirement, and look forward to recognizing him at our Winter Conference!

Read more about Bill and his legacy here:

Bill was born June 15, 1932, in Duncan, Oklahoma. His family moved to Gypsies, Texas when he was three years old and then to the Coachella Valley when he was 13 (in/around 1944). He attended Coachella Valley High School where he met his wife, Joanna Carpenter. The two married shortly after high school. Bill proudly boasts about his three daughters (Nancy, Pam, Cindy), seven grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

He diligently pursued his education after graduating from CVUHS continuing onto Riverside City College and completing a year at Irvine University before furthering his studies at the College of the Desert. Bill started his employment with Valley Sanitary District in 1951 at the age of 19 and became the General Manager at 24. In the early 1980s, he became the youngest President of the California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA). Bill was a leader and innovator within the wastewater industry. He brought a new, forward-thinking technology to wastewater treatment by installing the Zimpro Unit, a wet air oxidation technology used to treat wastewater sludge. Under his leadership, Valley Sanitary District received many awards and recognitions. Bill eventually retired in 1985.

In 1991, Bill was elected to the Valley Sanitary District Board of Directors where he will serve out his term through December 2024. He served as President for 19 of the 34 years on the Board. Throughout the years, Bill has been involved with his community through clubs such as Rotary and the Elks and serving on the Board of the Boys and Girls Club.

Aside from his commitment to wastewater and the community, Bill has had a deep interest in Western horses, which involved overnight treks on horseback to the waterfalls of the local mountains. Bill picked up golf in his early 20s and has never put it down. He continues to golf twice a week at the young age of 92. Bill loves people, enjoys great conversation and simply being around others.

Bill has been a vital member of the community and he has undoubtedly touched many lives during his 67-year career. The following is a more detailed list of his accomplishments:

Valley Sanitary District (Employee)
June 6, 1951, hired as a Plant Operator
1954-1956 served as the Chief Plant Operator
1956 became District Manager (General Manager)
June 30, 1985, last day of service for VSD
34 years of employment (28 years as the General Manager)

Valley Sanitary District (Board Member)
December 6, 1991, elected as Board Member of Valley Sanitary District
Served as President from 1992-2011
December 6, 2024 final day as Board Member
33 Years of service as Board Member

East Valley Reclamation Authority (EVRA)
2016 Appointed to the Board of Directors
2016-2018 served as Vice President
2019 served as President
2020-2024 served as Treasurer

Awards:
Received Wm. D. Hatfield Award in 1960
Received CWPCA Award from both Santa Ana Basin and Colorado River Basin in 1967 for recognition of contributions to the sections
Received selection to the 5’s Society in 1969 (Select Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers)

Other Positions:
California Water Pollution Control Agency (CWPCA) Charter President of Colorado River Basin 1960-1961
Member of the Technical Advisory Committee to the State Water Resources Control Board (2 years)
California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) President and Vice President (1980-1981)
Chairman of Legislative Committee CASA
Member of Managers Committee CASA
Executive Board Member CASA
Member of California Water Pollution Association
Riverside County Water Association Board of Directors
Indio Chamber of Commerce Board Member
Served on several City of Indio Committees
Coachella Valley Boys Club Board Member
Past President of CV Toastmasters 1969
CV Active 20-30 Club past President
Indian Palms Country Club Board Member
Member of the St. John’s Episcopal Church Vestry 8 years

Bill Teague’s remarkable 67 years of devoted service to his profession and community highlight his unwavering dedication and the profound impact he has made. As he prepares to conclude his term in December 2024, he leaves behind a legacy that will inspire future generations. We wish Bill a happy retirement.

 

West Basin MWD Welcomes New Manager of Engineering
This month, West Basin Municipal Water District announced the promotion of Susanna Li to the Manager of Engineering position. Susanna holds a Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Purdue University and a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan. She is a licensed professional engineer with more than 25 years of private and public sector experience. Her expertise spans the water industry’s engineering and operations realms including R&D work, feasibility studies, engineering design and construction, system operations, and asset management. Congratulations to Susanna! Read more in the press release.