Published: Aug 08, 2013 | 15:35 PM

IRWD Employee Has Kept the Water Flowing - For 30 Years

Irvine Ranch Water District prides itself on the dedication of the employees who keep the water flowing. There are 14 employees who have logged from 30 to 36 years. They include department directors, principal engineers, water maintenance supervisors, the District secretary, operations supervisors and managers and accountants, to name a few.

The latest employee to reach the 30-year milestone is among those who keep the water flowing – Frank Tessers. He is a Water Maintenance Supervisor in Construction and Repair and oversees a crew of three. They receive the calls in the middle of the night whenever there is an emergency – such as a leak or pipeline break.

They will be seen during the day doing any variety of work to ensure that the IRWD infrastructure maintains its integrity.

Tessers has worked his entire IRWD tenure in Construction and Repair and remains the District’s answer to the Energizer Bunny. After pulling an 18-hour shift for an emergency repair, he can keep going.

“Life is too short to be sitting around,” he said.

Tessers grew up in Huntington Beach, attending high school with future co-worker, John Palomares (who retired from IRWD in 2011 after 33 years). Because he earned so many credits, Tessers graduated early and soon after, he went into the construction business.

In 1983, he was working on a site on Armstrong in Irvine when his old friend, Palomares, drove up for a chat. He informed Tessers there was an opening at IRWD in Construction and Repair and he should apply.

“The construction industry is feast or famine,” Tessers said. “There is a lot more reliability and stability at IRWD.”

He enjoys his job because he is working outside in a different location every day. And there are those challenges – like the standby calls in the middle of the night.

“Sometimes we pull all-nighters,” he said. “But that’s what we’re here for.”

Tessers has always enjoyed cars and restores classics in his spare time. He has 13 vehicles in various stages of repair on his property in Fallbrook. Yes, he commutes to Irvine from Fallbrook every day. His Ranger has 242,000 miles on it – and he keeps it in top shape.

More IRWD information is available at our website.