National Public Works Week Expo in Oceanside Highlights Public Works in Daily Life

Across the United States and Canada, including in San Diego County, 30,000 members of the American Public Works Association represent the critical importance of public works in daily life. Public works professionals use their training and experience to plan, build, manage, and operate vital systems at the heart of local communities to improve the everyday quality of life for their citizens.

National Public Works Week has taken place annually in May since 1960. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy issued a proclamation describing public works as vitally important to our national health and welfare and praising the dedicated efforts of public works professionals.

“It is in the public interest for the citizens and civic leaders of this country to gain knowledge of and to maintain a progressive interest in the public works needs and programs of their respective communities,” the proclamation reads.

In recognition of National Public Works Week, the San Diego County Water Authority joined the City of Oceanside’s Public Works Day Expo. The Expo invited Oceanside residents to learn more about the public works in their community through hands-on learning, utility truck, and equipment displays. Employees engaged in conversations about the people and infrastructure behind reliable water service.

Elisa Marrone, City of Oceanside Water Efficiency Program Manager, was on hand at the Expo to welcome visitors.

Demonstrations and Career Talks Highlight Public Works Expo Activities

On hand at the Expo talking to visitors was Mechanical Technologist Erick Adriance with the City of Oceanside’s maintenance team. At his department’s display, Adriance demonstrated some of the tools used to keep the city’s water and wastewater systems running. Adriance demonstrated how pumps and valves control the flow of water and wastewater.

Adriance says he and his co-workers also perform fabrication, including welding, custom metalwork, and bearing fabrication.

Adriance encourages people to consider careers in public works, especially in the water and wastewater sector. “A career in water is a great choice. It’s giving back to your community. You’re part of the infrastructure to keep things running. You’re really part of the community. You’re part of the background, keeping the lights on and the water running.”

This year’s National Public Works Week theme, “Rooted in Service, Powered by Community,” acknowledges that the roots of service run deep in public works. The dedication to public service, as exemplified by Erick Adriance, fuels the public works innovations, helping communities evolve into places where people can lead lives of purpose and possibility.

Work such as building roads and bridges is highly visible, while other public works contributions, like maintaining water and sewer systems, are often hidden from view. Every project, seen or unseen, powers the connection between service and the people it supports.