Episode 68: Engineering Safer and Cleaner Water
“Operators are key to making sure that our systems work correctly and delivering safe and affordable drinking water to residents. On the wastewater side, operators are key to ensure that the water when it is goes back out into the environment is safe.”
A conversation with Nichole Morgan (civil engineer, California State Water Resources Control Board) about implementing programs and policies to steward water resources and infrastructure. Released January 31, 2025.
guests on the show
Nichole Morgan
Nichole Morgan was appointed as the civil engineer to the State Water Resources Control Board by Governor Gavin Newsom in June 2021. Ms. Morgan most recently served as an Assistant Deputy Director in the State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Financial Assistance, where she worked on projects providing funding for drinking water, wastewater, storm water and groundwater infrastructure improvements. During this time Ms. Morgan also managed a variety of additional programs including the Lead in Child Care Centers, Fish Advisories, and Drinking Water and Wastewater Operator Certification programs.
From 1999 to 2009 Ms. Morgan worked for public agencies and engineering consulting firms. Her responsibilities included planning, designing, and overseeing the construction of drinking water, wastewater and recycled water treatment and conveyance facilities throughout California. Ms. Morgan joined the State Water Resources Control Board in 2009 where she worked as staff in the Division of Financial Assistance, Delta Water Master’s Office, and the Division of Water Rights. Ms. Morgan worked as a manager at the Central Valley Regional Water Board from 2012 to 2018, where she managed the region’s NPDES program. She returned to the State Water Board in 2018 as the head of the Office of Sustainable Water Solutions and was promoted in 2019 to an Assistant Deputy Director with the Division of Financial Assistance. Ms. Morgan has a Bachelor in Science in Civil Engineering from California State University, Sacramento.