A chance encounter with a fellow collections worker launched Chris Newton on a career of volunteer service to the clean water profession at the local, regional, and state levels.
“I responded to a sewer spill one night and worked with an individual from a neighboring district who was a Director at SARBS (Santa Ana River Basin Section). He encouraged me to get involved,” said Chris Newton, Collections Supervisor at South Coast Water District.
Chris followed up, and today he is a CWEA Board Member, proudly representing the interests of operators as he serves the state association. He urges others to get involved the way he did.
“You develop skills, you network and meet people, learn time management, see job postings. You develop confidence and grow as a person.
“All that helps in your daily job,” he says. “If your employer buys in, there is no excuse for not volunteering. It’s all beneficial.”
Chris grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. After serving our country as an infantry mortarman in the United States Marine Corps, he started part-time 16 years ago in the City of Newport Beach’s water department, turning valves and flushing hydrants. He was hired full-time as a utility specialist and transferred to the Wastewater Collections Department, where he advanced to the crew chief position.
Six years ago, he left Newport Beach to become the Collections Supervisor at South Coast Water District, serving the communities of Dana Point, South Laguna Beach, San Clemente, and San Juan Capistrano. When the Superintendent position opened up, he applied and got the job. As Superintendent, Chris leads the Sanitary and Water Operations departments, supervising a staff of seven direct employees and an overall team of 37.
Chris believes staying current on the latest industry advancements is essential, especially being a coastal agency, where sewer spills can reach the ocean or creeks within minutes.
“The job is knowledge-based,” he says. “But it’s also the opportunity to lead people, to associate with different styles and personalities.”
Chris has made the most of every opportunity, participating in CWEA, along with SCWD’s investments in educational and networking programs for all staff.
Chris holds a Grade 4 collections certification, as well as a Grade 2 distribution, and Grade 1 wastewater certificates. He is studying Business Administration and looks forward to completing his bachelor’s degree this fall.
At SARBS, he says he was first attracted to the member events like the meet and greets.
“It began there,” he remembers. “Then I was drawn into the technical certification program (TCP). The existing material was old school. We wanted to find better ways to get people certified. I focused on that.”
Chris was asked to serve as vice president of the section, then became president just as the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
“That’s when we decided to go digital,” he remembers. Along with making SARBS activities “fun” for members, he cites the move to digital as one of his biggest achievements.
“We invested in digital – the early stages of digital platforms,” Chris says. Working together with CWEA, SARBS became one of the largest organizations adopting digital ways of training.
The experience also led him to become interested in regional CWEA activities and ultimately earned him a seat on the CWEA board.
Chris’s progress from local to regional to state levels has impacted him both personally and professionally. He believes his involvement with CWEA has made him better at his job, while simultaneously, what he does in the office adds value to his volunteer work.
“It’s been very rewarding for me,” he says. “You help the association, and the association helps you. It’s one together.”
His goals include continuing to progress as a manager and growing in organizational leadership. He says his participation on the CWEA Board helps him understand other members and develop an appreciation for all the work the organization does.
“I listen and try to give back,” he says.
At the same time, he tries to maintain the voice of the operator, remembering his start years ago as an Operator 1. “At board meetings, I am the operator in the room,” Chris says. “I try to be an example to others about what an operator can do.”
Check out this member interview of Chris Newton recorded at CWEA’s Annual Conference in San Diego.
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