Northwest Wayne News

Detroit Water and Sewer Department Chief Operating Officer Sam Smalley, P.E., has been appointed as the deputy director, the Detroit Board of Water Commissioners announced. Mayor Mike Duggan officially made the appointment, while DWSD Director Gary Brown will continue in his current role. Smalley has been a key figure in overseeing various initiatives within the department, such as lead service line replacement, sewer cleaning, and stormwater management.

According to DWSD Director Gary Brown, "There is no engineer in Detroit nor this state that is more passionate about the water and sewer systems and how they interact with our customers than Sam Smalley." Brown praised Smalley's leadership during the pandemic and highlighted his role in maintaining and upgrading the water and sewer systems in Detroit.

Smalley, who has been with DWSD since 2007, expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating, "DWSD is one of the remaining places, no matter where you start in the organization, where you can make it to the top and everything you do along the way will serve you well at each level." He emphasized his commitment to improving customer service and creating an empowering workplace environment.

Reflecting on his journey, Smalley shared his educational background and work experience, which includes serving as the director for the wastewater treatment plant in southwest Detroit. He successfully resolved compliance issues and ended a longstanding lawsuit with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

Sam Smalley's professional journey includes working as a union apprentice plumber and holding positions in water and sewer management before joining DWSD. His qualifications include licenses to operate water distribution systems and treatment plants in Michigan, as well as being a licensed Civil Engineer in Michigan and California.

In his new role as Deputy Director, Smalley aims to leverage his expertise and experience to continue the positive impact of DWSD on customers and employees. He emphasized the importance of leadership in ensuring customer satisfaction and fostering a supportive work environment.

The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) serves a residential population of nearly 700,000 and is committed to addressing aging infrastructure and replacing lead service lines. To learn more about DWSD or access their services, individuals can contact DWSD Customer Service, use the Improve Detroit mobile app, or visit the official DWSD website.