Fernando Rico Named Water Systems Division Manager

Fernando Rico has been promoted to water systems division manager. He has more than 27 years of industry-related engineering and operations experience.

Rico has worked for El Paso Water Utilities for almost 20 years, most recently as water supply manager. He directed the operations and maintenance of the utility’s water supply, production, treatment and purification facilities while managing 127 employees and a $26.3 million budget.

As water systems division manager, Rico will oversee the operation and maintenance of the utility’s groundwater and surface water treatment plants, as well as the water storage, transmission and distribution systems. He will also manage the construction of the division’s capital facilities, which includes infrastructure needs related to water supply, system expansion and rehabilitation.

From 1985 to 1992, Rico was the water and on-site wastewater program manager for the Texas Department of Health. His responsibilities included the administration of water and wastewater programs in 36 counties that comprise Public Health Region 3.

During this period, he did volunteer work in Juárez colonias by teaching residents to disinfect cisterns and drums containing drinking water. He also provided technical assistance for on-site wastewater disposal projects in the colonias.

Rico earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Texas and an associate member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He also serves as a member of the Doña Ana Branch Community College Water Technology Advisory Board.