We offer job shadowing opportunities for interested persons who are entering or actively participating in the workforce. This unique opportunity provides participants with the opportunity to observe an employee performing their daily work routine in their environment. Our mission is to excite potential candidates about a career in the water industry by allowing them to explore a realistic picture of the tasks performed for a specific job. Participants will receive an official certificate of completion at the end of the job shadow.

• More information about Job Shadowing

Touring one of our facilities is a great way to see water treatment firsthand. Tours are available between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Facility options include:

• George W. Kuhn Retention Treatment Basin (GWK RTB):
  • 1400 Ajax Drive, Madison Heights, MI 48071
• Water Resource Recovery Facilities (Wastewater Treatment):
  • Commerce Facility: 649 Welch Road, Walled Lake, MI 48390
  • Walled Lake Facility: 46351 West Road, Novi, MI 48377
  • Clinton River Facility: 155 North Opdyke Road, Pontiac, MI 48342

This is a hands-on experience intended for groups of six or more. Our knowledgeable staff will bring the Closed-circuit TV (CCTV) truck to your event or school for a practical demonstration.

What you will learn:

• CCTV trucks are equipped with cameras mounted on a robot crawler which relays live footage from within the sewer to a monitor in the truck via CCTV. The camera can be placed down a manhole and remotely driven from within the truck down the sewer to the next manhole. These cameras have pan and tilt capabilities which allow the operator to move the camera in all directions to obtain a thorough picture of the entire sewer line.
• How we maintain important infrastructure with the use of high-tech equipment.
• How we use technology to check the quality of sewers, pipes and manholes. For instance, what and how these tools are used to determine the condition of a pipe and if any blockages are present that may require cleaning, replacement or repair.

We can create a customized presentation for your class or club! This presentation will introduce our organization and explain how we impact community water systems. The presentation can cover the following:

• What is the WRC?
• What do we do in your community?
• What else do we do?
  • Maintain facilities and bodies of water
  • Environmental programs throughout the county
  • Run water and sewer programs for cities, townships and villages throughout the county
• Drinking Water (H20) 101
  • Where does water come from?
  • Various water systems and their benefits and drawbacks
  • Types of water infrastructure (water towers, gatewells, hydrants, etc.)
• Where does all this water go?
  • Water Resource Recovery Facilities
  • Sewage Disposal Systems
• Storm Drain Systems
• Geographic Information Systems

We believe the work we do here at the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioners office would make for an eye-opening and fascinating topic of discussion for your community or neighborhood group. After all, this office impacts countless aspects of your daily life. Although much of the infrastructure we oversee is underground, many people underestimate the important role it plays in providing clean, fresh, uninterruptable water to our homes and businesses.

We’d welcome the opportunity to visit your community to talk about the services we provide. If you would like a visit from a WRC speaker, please let us know. Also, if you know of a civic, community or neighborhood group that you think would like a visit from one of our speakers, give us a call.

To learn more about our speakers’ bureau, or any of our educational programs suitable for all ages from adults to school-age youngsters, please contact our Administrative Special Assistant, Alyssa Taube at taubea@oakgov.com or our Community Liason, Julia Ruffin at ruffinj@oakgov.com.