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Bobby Bond Jr. works the mini-excavator during competition at the 2019 American Public Works Assoiation (APWA) National Skills ROADEO. Photo: Courtesy Natassia Bond

Water Authority Maintenance Pro Scores Three-Peat in National Competition

San Diego County Water Authority maintenance professional Bobby Bond Jr. made it a three-peat, representing San Diego at the 2019 American Public Works Association’s National ROADEO Skills Competition in Seattle, Washington.

Bond placed 13th among all 70 competitors nationwide.

He secured the right to represent the San Diego region as the Master Skills Operator Champion by winning first place out of 20 competitors. The San Diego regional competition took place this summer at Rohr Park in Chula Vista.

“I get nervous every single time before I do it, but it’s not too bad,” admitted Bond.

Bobby Bond Jr. (second from left) accepts his first place trophy as the 2019 Master Skills Operator in San Diego regional competition. Photo: MSA/APWA San Diego

Bobby Bond Jr. (second from left) accepts his first place trophy as the 2019 Master Skills Operator in the San Diego regional competition. Photo: MSA/APWA San Diego

Bond gets daily on-the-job training in his role as a Senior Maintenance Technician for the Water Authority. Over the past year, he has worked on pipeline encasement for the Lake Murray to Sweetwater Reservoir Pipeline 3 relining project; performed demolition work using a “mini-excavator” to remove unused flow control facilities; and a variety of road grading assignments.

“I think I improved on the mini-excavator,” said Bond.

Work experience is training for competition

Bond’s versatility is an asset in competition. Participants compete on the local level in three categories: the backhoe/mini-excavator, skid steer, and mechanics. Each task requires the competitor to perform tasks with the equipment against the clock, with faults assessed for any mistakes. The three sets of results are added to determine the overall Master Operator Champion.

His time through the course was five minutes and 46 seconds with minimal faults, earning him the victory in his third year of competition. Taking second place and joining Bond in Seattle was David Bosley from the City of El Cajon. He was just 10 seconds behind Bond, and asked to train with Bond before the national competition.

See Bond Jr. in action in competition at the 2019 National ROADEO Skills competition here.

APWA ROADEO competitions test vital job skills

At the September 9, 2019 APWA National Equipment ROADEO in Seattle, competitors performed two mini-excavator tests, with the scores added together to determine a winner.

“It’s like the first time every time we go,” explained Bond. “You’re in a new city, and the set-ups are different. This year, two mini-excavator events took place in a parking lot down by the baseball stadium [T-Mobile Park]. It was a busy street; people were looking over wondering what as going on – it was early in the morning.”

Bobby Bond Jr. navigates the competition tasks with the mini-excavator at the 2019 American Public Works Assoiation (APWA) National Skills ROADEO. Photo: Courtesy Natassia Bond

Bobby Bond Jr. navigates the competition tasks with the mini-excavator at the 2019 American Public Works Association National Skills ROADEO. Photo: Courtesy Natassia Bond

Bond also attends the APWA convention to learn about new products and techniques.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to participate in it,” he said.

The annual national and regional competitions test the skills Bond and many other professionals use each day on the job while maintaining water and wastewater systems, streets, and other vital infrastructure.

Water Authority Board of Directors honors Bond’s efforts

The Water Authority’s Board of Directors recognized Bond as the Employee of the Fourth Quarter in FY 2019 for his expertise and dedication.

“He really exemplifies teamwork, customer service, and excellence in the work he does,” said Acting General Manager Sandy Kerl. “His successful efforts on the La Mesa-Sweetwater pipeline encasement repair projects were critical to ensuring a reliable water supply to our member agencies. Bobby has one of the most positive attitudes, and it’s contagious.”

“It’s an honor to win for the Water Authority. I’ve worked here for seven years, and I’ve loved every minute of it,” said Bond.

He intends to continue honing his skills at work, pursuing his ultimate goal to compete for the Water Authority when the 2022 National Roadeo Skills Competition takes place in San Diego. Bond plans to compete in the next three contests in New Orleans, St. Louis, and in North Carolina before enjoying his hometown advantage.

L.H. Woods working on one of its first projects for the Water Authority in 1960. Photo: Courtesy L.H. Woods

L.H. Woods & Sons Honored for 60 Years of Enhancing Region’s Aqueducts

After 60 years of work upgrading the San Diego regional aqueduct system, Vista-based L.H. Woods & Sons, Inc. was honored by the San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors upon completion of the company’s final project under local ownership for the Water Authority.

The Board formally marked the successful conclusion of the $28.6 million Lake Murray to Sweetwater Reservoir pipeline relining project at its September 27 meeting. L.H. Woods reinforced 4.3 miles of large-diameter pipeline to extend its service life by decades. At the meeting, the Board adopted a resolution honoring Woods for decades of unequaled service to the region’s 3.3 million residents and its $220 billion economy.

L.H. Woods works on the 2nd Aqueduct in 1972. Photo: Courtesy L.H. Woods

L.H. Woods works on the 2nd Aqueduct in 1972. Photo: Courtesy L.H. Woods

Since Woods’ first Water Authority project in 1959 to excavate the Second Aqueduct, three generations of Woods have worked on approximately 40 projects  for the agency. Work includes construction of several pipeline segments in the 1960s, 70s and 80s; construction of the North County Distribution Pipeline in the 1990s; emergency pipeline repairs near the San Diego River in 2008; and several pipeline relining projects in recent decades.

“Nothing is more important to our region’s economy and quality of life than ensuring our pipelines continue to deliver water without interruption – and no company has played a bigger role in that effort than Woods,” said Jim Madaffer, chair of the Water Authority’s Board. “Woods brings to each project an innovative spirit and an unwavering commitment to excellence that benefits every person in our region every single day.”

L.H. Woods played key role in Water Authority relining project

L.H. Woods working on its final project within the Water Authority's relining program in 2017. Photo: Courtesy L.H. Woods

L.H. Woods working on its final project within the Water Authority’s relining program in 2017. Photo: Courtesy L.H. Woods

In September 2017, Woods started construction on the La Mesa to Sweetwater relining project. Crews conducted most of the work underground and used 17 portals to access the 66-inch and 69-inch diameter prestressed concrete cylinder pipe. Woods deployed specialized installation equipment built specifically for the Water Authority’s aqueduct system to install steel pipeline liners.

Much of the construction was in public rights-of-way in La Mesa on Baltimore Drive (south of the Laport Street-El Paso Street intersection), Nebo Drive (to University Avenue), and Spring Street. Work did not close any streets, through it temporarily reduced lanes for traffic. All construction equipment has been removed, and all streets have been restored.

L.H. Woods working on one of many projects within the Water Authority's relining program in 2000. Photo: Courtesy L.H. Woods

L.H. Woods working on one of many projects within the Water Authority’s relining program in 2000. Photo: Courtesy L.H. Woods

As a certified small business, Woods participated in the Water Authority’s Small Contractor Outreach and Opportunities Program, which is designed to maximize participation by small businesses in the agency’s procurements. In June, the company was purchased by J.F. Shea Co., Inc., one of the largest and oldest privately held construction companies in the nation. Shea’s storied history includes work on the Golden Gate Bridge, Hoover Dam and the pipeline connecting the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant to the Water Authority’s regional water distribution system.

With the completion of the La Mesa to Sweetwater relining project, the Water Authority has relined 45 of the 82 miles of pre-stressed concrete cylinder pipe in its system.

An L.H. Woods crew works on emergency repairs for the Water Authority in 2008. Photo: Courtesy L.H. Woods

An L.H. Woods crew works on emergency repairs for the Water Authority in 2008. Photo: Courtesy L.H. Woods

Pre-stressed concrete cylinder pipes were commonly installed between the early 1960s and the late 1980s in water distribution systems throughout the world. This combination of concrete and steel initially appeared to provide unparalleled inner pipe strength and be highly resistant to corrosion. However, pre-stressed concrete cylinder pipes have not been as reliable as predicted, and the Water Authority is proactively relining sections of that pipe to extend their service life by at least 75 years.

The Water Authority’s relining program is an important part of its Asset Management Program, which helps avoid pipeline failures by identifying potential risks before they cause problems. To date, the Asset Management Program has saved water ratepayers more than $200 million by prioritizing repairs, avoiding unnecessary work and maximizing the service life of the region’s 310 miles of large-diameter pipelines.