Tri-City Sun

City of Bay City recently issued the following announcement.

As a kid growing up on Bay City’s south end Brad Spyhalski’s life revolved around swimming. In fact, he still holds a few records at Bay City Central High School. Admittedly as a kid he didn’t know what the future would hold – and today he’s happy with where his career led him. “I figured I would fall into something and here I am. I could retire out of here happy,” Spyhalski said. Spyhalski is part of the Water Distribution/Metering Division within the Department of Public Works. It’s not swimming but it is water-related! “At the time when I found this job I was working on shingles on a hot roof from early in the morning to late at night,” Spyhalski shared. “The city appealed to me because there was a fixed schedule and could have a life.”

Like many Department of Public Works employees, Spyhalski got his foot in the door in the Sanitation Division. He spent a year on a trash truck before moving to the Water team. First he was on the distribution side of water – focusing on the system of piping that delivers clean water from the Bay Area Water Treatment Plant to homes and businesses. Now, you’ll find him working on meters. Bay City uses Advanced Metering Infrastructure or AMI devices. They are designed to make sure customers are only paying their fair share. Knowing how to inspect, install, repair and remove the meters is the focus of Spyhalski’s job. “I didn’t have a background in any of this. I learned it on the job,” Spyhalski said. Some of that has been hands-on learning, other knowledge comes from studying. Spyhalski recently tested for his S3 Drinking Water Operator Certification from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). He already held an S4 license.

Whether on-the-job or through continued education, Spyhalski believes his job makes a difference in the lives of his family, friends and community members. “A lot of people don’t know what to do so they call us first,” Spyhalski said. “We can help with basic problems but we are not plumbers and many issues are not city-related. We help them troubleshoot the best we can and at least get them pointed in the right direction.” 

Meter leaks and running toilets are common issues – but what he encounters each day is different. When someone is dealing with a water-related issue they’re under a lot of stress – so not everyone is happy to see them. But there are times he walked away knowing he made a difference.  Spyhalski recounted showing up to a home where the homeowner believed the hot water heater was the source of his problem. Spyhalski knew that wasn’t the case but also couldn’t quickly determine the leak’s source. He spent a lot of time there – asking the homeowner questions and helping look around the property. Somehow one of the questions jogged the homeowner’s memory – and lead them to a sink in the garage that had been covered up 30-years prior. They were able to get access to the sink and sure enough, it had recently started to leak. “Sometimes it takes detective work,” Spyhalski joked. “It was nice to be able to get to the bottom of that one. I could see how appreciative he was.”

When Spyhalski and his co-worker aren’t going from call-to-call across the city, they’re back at the Water shop. There are meters to test for accuracy, meters to repair, and regular maintenance and cleaning at the shop. While he enjoys the variety – he does prefer being on the move. “I definitely interact with people more this way,” Spyhalski explained. “We’re in the customer service side of water. I enjoy that part of my job.”

By the way, you won’t find Spyhalski in a swimming pool anymore during his free time. He sees enough water at work. Instead, he enjoys playing guitar! He’s part of a metal band called ‘Cura’. He first picked up a guitar at age 17 – shortly before his swimming career ended.

Original source can be found here.

Source: City of Bay City