Dam Design and Construction

HYDROVISION speaker spotlight: Tom Roode, Denver Water

HYDROVISION speaker spotlight: Tom Roode, Denver Water
(photo courtesy Denver Water)

Tom Roode, chief of operations and maintenance with Denver Water, will speak during the opening keynote session at HYDROVISION International 2024.

Denver Water is the host utility for HYDROVISION. Denver Water was founded in 1918 and is the state’s largest and oldest water utility, with a service area of more than 335 square miles. A system of reservoirs networked by tunnels and canals provides water to 1.5 million people in Denver and surrounding suburbs. Money from the sale of the power produced by its seven hydroelectric plants is used to offset operating costs, typically saving ratepayers about $4 million per year. Most of these generators are located at existing water storage facilities, such as Gross Reservoir in Boulder County.

Operations and maintenance is responsible for operating and maintaining the physical and natural assets used to deliver water to Denver Water customers, including rivers, canals, reservoirs, dams, tunnels, pipelines, valves, hydropower, tanks, pump stations and treatment plants. Operations and maintenance establishes and implements criteria for the proper operation of all assets to the satisfaction of outside regulating agencies and Denver Water customers. It is composed of six sections: Source of Supply, Water Quality and Treatment, Water Distribution, Support Services, Business Operations, and Customer Service Field.

Roode joined Denver Water in 2009 as assistant chief of engineering and was named chief of operations and maintenance in 2011. Has 27 years of experience in the municipal water and wastewater industries in roles as utility owner, consultant and construction contractor.

He received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Colorado State University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Colorado at Denver. Roode is a registered professional engineer in the state of Colorado.

The keynote session will feature insights and perspectives on the global hydroelectric power and dams industry. The session is open to all attendees.

Click here to learn more about HYDROVISION International 2024, which will take place July 15 to 18 in Denver, Colo., U.S.