Research Team Bios

Ruben Robles
Research Engineer
Ruben Robles
  • MBA, California State University, Sacramento, 1999
  • MS, Civil Engineering, California State University, Sacramento, 1994
  • BS, Civil Engineering, California State University, Sacramento, 1992
  • Professional Engineer (PE), State of California
  • Email: ruben.robles@owp.csus.edu
 
Research Engineer, Office of Water Programs, California State University, Sacramento,
2023–Present
  • Principal Investigator on the SWRCB SAFER & Prop 1 Drinking Water and Wastewater Technical Assistance contract
  • Provide technical assistance to small, disadvantaged communities throughout California to improve their drinking water and wastewater systems
  • Manage several projects, including consolidating (connecting) water systems with water quality problems in smaller, disadvantaged communities to nearby larger public utilities that generally have greater resources
  • Develop all needed project components, such as the engineering report, environmental documents, and design, to submit a construction application to the State Board for
    needed improvements
Director of Operations, Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District, 2010–2020; Principal Civil Engineer, 2005–2010; Senior Civil Engineer, 2001–2005; Associate Civil Engineer, 1995–2001; Assistant Civil Engineer, 1992–1994
  • Managed over 350 staff that operated and maintained the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant (SRWTP) and Interceptor system
  • Managed the $1.7 billion EchoWater capital improvement project to upgrade the SRWTP for nutrient removal, water recycling, and expanded peak flow storage
  • Prepared annual O&M budget in excess of $110 million, and a capital budget of $100–250 million per year
  • Ensured compliance with federal, state, and local regulatory requirements, including NPDES, WDR, SSMP, SMAQMD air permits, OSHA compliance, etc.
  • Conducted value engineering to identify opportunities for construction and project life cycle
    cost savings
  • Ensured staff followed District policies and procedures, including; personnel, financial, ethics, IT, vehicle, and other requirements
  • Approved department staffing levels, hiring and mentoring of direct reports, addressed
    disciplinary matters
Professional Interests: Utility management, asset management, assisting disadvantaged communities with infrastructure improvements, operation and maintenance of wastewater/water treatment facilities and collection systems