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  • Krishna Kumar, General Manager
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  1. City of Madison
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  3. Inside MWU

Inside MWU

Celebrating Women In Construction Week

posted March 11, 2021

It’s Women in Construction week! We’d like to thank all of women at Madison Water Utility who are integral to our mission and day-to-day operations.

We also took a moment to talk to a few women breaking barriers in both the water and construction industries.

Headshot of 3 women with captions: Kelly, Design Engineer. Kali, Field Service Representative. Kelle, Public Works Maintenance Worker.

Kelly is a Design Engineer and self-described “magnet for careers in male-dominated industries.” This is her third career after being a journeywoman carpenter and brew master. Kelly plans and manages water main and facility projects through all stages from planning and outreach to design, bidding, construction, and close-out. Her design for our Water Wagon is just one example of her innovative work!

Kelle is a Public Works Maintenance Worker 1 and currently the only woman on our distribution crews. Prior to working at the water utility, Kelle worked in a factory, a tire warehouse, and as an hourly with the City of Madison’s Engineering Division. On the crews, Kelle does a variety of tasks: valve turning, repairing or reconstructing water mains, driving a dump truck, flushing hydrants, and grounds maintenance.

Kali is a Field Service Representative 2 in our Meter Shop and was initially hired as an hourly in our Finance section. She had over fifteen years of experience doing administration work. When a position opened up in our Meter Shop, Kali stepped out from from behind her desk to apply and was hired. Kali goes out to homes and businesses to test, repair, and replace our metering equipment.
 

Opportunities and Challenges for Women in the Industry

“I don’t see myself sitting in an office every day,” said Kelle. “I like working with my hands. I love working outside.” (She said this after we’d just experienced the coldest February in over 30 years!) Kelle also enjoys the sense of accomplishment that comes with her work. “When I go past a ditch or something and can say, ‘I did that.’ I like that feeling.”

In our engineering section, there are opportunities to grow and solve problems. “I like knowing that I can become better at what I'm doing through just doing it, and taking on new challenges,” said Kelly. “I feel like I'm part of a team that has each other's backs. Having independence and also support when I need it has allowed me to grow.”

For Kali, it is all about the customer interaction and representation as she goes out to work on meters. “My favorite thing about my job is interacting with the community and our young BIPOC future,” she said. “If my face is out there they can see, 'She can do that' and know they can too.” She also enjoys the opportunities to answer questions and educate people about water.

Kali, a Madison Water Utility Field Service Representative, tests a large wholesale water meter at Heugel-Jamestown Park.
Kali tests a wholesale water meter at Huegel-Jamestown Park

Though working in construction has been very rewarding for all three women, it’s not without challenges.

“A lot of people want to look past me,” said Kali. “I’ve had many people ask me, ‘And who’s here to do the job?’ I had an interaction with a guy who was completely dumbfounded. He actually watched me from afar, I think he was hoping I would fail... People are really quick to judge, especially when we’re doing large [30-40 lb] meter changes.”

Kelle has had similar experiences of people doubting her abilities. “You can’t be thin-skinned,” she said. “Guys may say you’re not that strong, and you just have to shrug that off. You just persevere.” Options are also limited for work gear and clothing. “I did a search for women’s construction pants and what comes up? Leggings.”

For Kelly, being a woman working mostly with men has helped her learn empathy. “It’s given me a really visceral understanding of what it’s like to be ‘other’ and that translates,’” she said. “You learn to be an advocate for yourself and for other people.”
 

Changing the industry

Nationally, women only make up 10% of all the people working in construction. At the water utility, women are underrepresented in construction-related positions. “We wouldn’t be doing a ‘Women in Construction’ thing if we were common,” said Kelly. “We need to actively recruit women, hire, train, mentor and promote them. Promote diversity of all types, and encourage a welcoming environment for all employees.”

"Society has created an expectation," says Kelly. "Growing up, all you see is men doing this kind of work. We have to start young and provide opportunities for on-the-job training. Women only make up 10% of people in construction and some companies don't hire any women. If you require experience, chances are low you'll get any women in the door. You also need to show that women can move up and have opportunities once they're hired."

All three women are active in improving our workplace for women and other underrepresented groups. Kelle and Kali attended the City of Madison’s Women+ Leadership Conference last year. Kelly and Kali are also members of the City of Madison’s equity team.
 

Advice for Women Starting Out

“Say yes to opportunities, especially those that might stretch you or are a little scary,” said Kelly. “Reach out and make a support network if you don't have one already. Look for mentors. It's great if you can find a woman, but be open to anyone who is willing to take you under their wing. It's really a web, not you solo.”

“Women are stronger than they think,” said Kelle. “More women could do this job. We have tools and equipment. You can ask for help. If you're intimidated by the equipment, you can practice. And don't be afraid to get dirty. That stuff always washes off.”

“Understand adversity,” said Kali. “Not everyone's going to want you to sit at the table but it's your time to pull up a chair. It's really important that we sit at the table now. I know there's a fear there, of rejection and of failure. It's taken me a long time to realize I only fail if I don't try."

If you’re considering a career at Madison Water Utility and/or the City of Madison, please visit cityofmadison.com/jobs to see available openings and also sign up for job updates.

This content is free for use with credit to the City of Madison - Madison Water Utility and a link back to the original post.

Tags: Women's History Month, TeamCity, Public Works, Infrastructure, Water, madison water utility, Inclusive workplace

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Recent Posts

  • Celebrating Women In Construction Week posted March 11, 2021
  • WI Salt Awareness Week examines environmental damage caused by road salt posted January 11, 2021
  • Reopening soon? Make sure your water is safe. posted May 18, 2020
  • Staying at home is changing the way Madison uses water posted April 15, 2020

Archive

2021
March
  • Celebrating Women In Construction Week
January
  • WI Salt Awareness Week examines environmental damage caused by road salt
2020
May
  • Reopening soon? Make sure your water is safe.
April
  • Staying at home is changing the way Madison uses water
February
  • “Got Water?” project announces 2020 hydration station schools!
January
  • Madison Water Utility reports unprecedented drop in city’s water use
2019
December
  • "We'll be doing this forever." Understanding the impact of PFAS
November
  • Final segment of decade-long water main project underway
September
  • EVERY DROP MADISON poll closes soon!
August
  • Average aquifer levels highest in a generation
June
  • Toilet Rebate Program hits 1 billion gallons of water saved!
  • Lost Lou and Peter Barryman tune about conservation gets new life.
April
  • Worst-case: What happens when a water main breaks under an airport taxiway?
  • Flushing program puts Madison "on the forefront"
February
  • Wild February weather takes toll on water mains
January
  • Annual water use in Madison drops by a billion gallons in six years
  • “Got Water?” initiative reaches more than 11,000 students
2018
October
  • Imagine a Day Without Water
September
  • Madison Water Utility adds first new well in more than a decade
August
  • High school students get hands-on training at MWU
July
  • Widely used chemicals detected in two Madison wells
  • A funny song about a serious thing
April
  • What’s under Monroe Street?
March
  • Two Madison Water Utility projects getting national attention
February
  • Finding Madison's foxes
January
  • Water use in Madison drops to lowest level in 50 years
2017
December
  • Worst winter ever? Lessons learned from the "polar vortex" winter of 2013-14
  • Catching catastrophic plumbing problems -- through email
October
  • Imagine a Day Without Water
September
  • 100 miles of main
August
  • A funny song about a serious thing
July
  • What does your water dollar pay for?
  • Saving Madison from salt
May
  • Bidding farewell to Madison’s “legacy” main
March
  • Partnership with Project Home making an impact
February
  • What does your water dollar pay for?
  • Into the bore hole: Tackling the road salt problem at a west side well
January
  • Madison Water Utility turns 135!
2016
December
  • Saving Madison from salt
November
  • Reminder: The Great Showerhead Giveaway happening this Saturday!
October
  • Madisonians cite safety and conservation as top water issues
September
  • Imagine a day without water
August
  • You can now register to vote at Madison Water Utility!
  • Why add chlorine? The story behind water disinfection
July
  • You have a voice! MWU seeks public input on critical water issues
April
  • Water main flushing puts Madison "on the forefront"
March
  • How low can we go?
February
  • Why all the main breaks?
January
  • EPA looks to Madison as leader on lead pipe issue
2015
November
  • World War II-era journals discovered at construction site
October
  • Saving Madison from salt
August
  • Planned Blackhawk Water Tower signals growth on the far west side
  • MWU invests millions in water infrastructure on northeast side
  • Madison woman gets serious about water conservation, wins an iPad
July
  • MWU customers catch plumbing leaks – online
June
  • All eyes on the aquifer: Is Madison's water supply sustainable?
May
  • MWU releases Annual Water Quality Report
April
  • Our graywater experiment: 10 years and counting
January
  • No easy answers for Well 8
  • Frozen on the inside: Indoor flooding season is here
2014
December
  • As Safe Drinking Water Act turns 40, Madison ramps up testing
November
  • EPA seeks details of Madison’s Lead Service Replacement Program
October
  • Madison Water Utility first in state to launch "ultimate conservation tool"
September
  • The Water Wagon: A cool lesson in sustainability
  • New downtown community garden takes root in unlikely spot
August
  • Taking safety seriously: The story behind water chlorination
June
  • East Johnson Street: No Ordinary Construction Zone
  • Major public works project set to begin on north side
May
  • When there's a fire: MWU's critical mission
April
  • Wisconsin Water for the World: Making a difference one village at a time
  • Flushing program puts Madison "on the forefront"
March
  • When winter's over: the lasting impact of road salt
  • Blindsided: When drivers don't see work zones
February
  • Paying for Progress
  • The winter that won't be forgotten
January
  • The long road to smart meters
  • Why all the main breaks?
2013
December
  • Going in the hole: Madison Water Utility crews take on main break season
  • Frozen on the inside: Indoor flooding season is here
November
  • Madison getting its first new water well in a decade
  • Rebuilding pride in Paterson
  • Lake View Reservoir reconstruction sparks neighborhood interest
October
  • Madison Water Utility builds new water mains -- inside the old ones
  • Well hunters: Finding Madison's long-hidden private wells
  • Madison women make history -- with a little help from their friends
  • Bad Medicine
September
  • Sometimes, it's what you don't see
  • Rediscovering the reservoir
  • MWU honored for winning Best-Tasting Water in the state!
August
  • Unearthing Madison's history
  • Our graywater experiment: 8 years and counting
  • Wisconsin's first ever women's tapping team created at MWU

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