Meet the people of TMWA whose commitment to serve our community ensures we have the best water in the country.
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Jackson BerglandHydro-Electric Plant Operator |
Jackson has a passion for the Truckee Meadows. Born and raised in Reno, he always wanted to be an asset to the community. When he started working with Sierra Pacific Power Company in 1999 as a temporary employee, he was looking for a career that would allow him to be a part of something important, something the community would have a need for.
"Water," Jackson said, "will always be needed and this job really jives with my world view. I'm a pretty progressive guy and working at TMWA allows me to live my ideals of striving to find a source of clean and renewable energy." As a hydroelectric plant operator, Jackson uses three plants in the area to create electric energy out of water pressure. These three plants—one upriver, one in Verdi and one downriver—run river water through a flume or ditch and generate electricity: one foot of water generates 0.443 lbs of pressure or 2.31 ft/psi, which turns a water wheel to generate the electricity. TMWA generates just over 50 percent of its own power through these hydroelectric plants.
Jackson's job requires him to travel to each plant every day. When there is a change in the river, he and his crew make adjustments to ensure there is enough water for the community while keeping the river healthy.
"It took a long time before I knew what I was doing," he said. "The training was very detail-oriented and laborious." It was worth all the hard work, it seems, because the individuals he works with are the best part of his job, according to Jackson.
"TMWA is like a family," Jackson said. "We all work really well together under incredible leadership. It takes a large, collaborative effort, a tremendous amount of work, planning, and teamwork every day to make sure water is always there, running from the faucet."
That leadership, Jackson said, was displayed by Lori Williams in the face of adversity. Although he said it was very sad to lose her as the general manager, it rallied the entire community.
"I got to see what real leadership is," he said. "It was a blessing in disguise for TMWA to see her principled approach and it was awe-inspiring to see her stand up for those principles."
Originally studying to be a high school United States government teacher, Jackson is passionate about the political process and his role in it. In fact, staying informed is his favorite hobby behind spending time with his wife and toddler, and golfing.
"We are all in this together and we can be the people we want to be," he said of politics and people. "I like to stay informed on current events as much as I can because it encourages diversity of thought."
If he had more time, he would like to become more actively involved in local government and open dialogue. That, and work on his golf game.
