Today marks International Women’s Day! Historically, this day is used to highlight the incredible achievements of women throughout history. WPI is proud to honor that tradition by celebrating the hard-working women in the water and wastewater field. From operators to supervisors to administrators, there is no shortage of female talent in this industry, which is why we’ve chosen to showcase a few of these trailblazers on IMMERSE. This International Women’s Day’s theme is to Accelerate Action, and who better to spotlight than someone who has embodied positive progress and action throughout the entirety of her career: Margaret Doss, PO.
Margaret has been an active member of Water Professionals International since 1992. She is a Past-President and has received WPI’s highest honor: the Harris Seidel Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2010. Additionally, she has been honored with the Jess Jones Excellence in Service Award in 2015, 2018, and 2020, and most recently, she received the Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development in January 2025. Margaret holds certifications as a Class IV Wastewater Treatment Professional Operator through C2EP, as well as Wastewater Treatment Operator, Water Laboratory Analyst, and Wastewater Laboratory Analyst certifications in Georgia. She is a member of AWWA and WEF, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Clemson University and a Master’s degree in Adult Education from the University of Georgia.
In addition to her strong leadership for WPI, Margaret has worked for Columbia County Water Utility for over 30 years. She began her career as a Laboratory Analyst and is currently the Compliance Manager. Appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water/Wastewater Certification Board in 2001, she currently serves as the Board Chairperson.
We had the opportunity to interview Margaret about her career path in the water/wastewater industry. Here is what she had to say:
Can you share more about your journey in the water industry?
In 1988, I began my journey in the water industry as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst in the city of Newton, NC. I had recently graduated from Clemson University with a degree in microbiology, and I wanted to find a job that was related. There was an opening at the wastewater treatment plant for a Laboratory Analyst, and I thought it sounded interesting, so I applied and was hired. While there, I learned the analyst tasks, but I also learned how to operate an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. I was (and still am) fascinated by the whole treatment process; it is predicated upon microbiological principles. I obtained certification as a Class II Wastewater Treatment Plant operator.
A few years later, my husband and I decided we wanted to move closer to our extended family. In 1991, I received an offer from the Columbia County Water Utility in Evans, GA, to be their wastewater laboratory analyst. I began working in the lab at the Little River Water Pollution Control Facility where I was also the backup wastewater treatment plant operator. At that time, the County had four wastewater treatment facilities, and all the regulatory samples were brought to the Little River lab for analysis. Within 18 months, I obtained certifications as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst and a Class I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (the highest level) in Georgia.
In 1993, I was promoted to Head Treatment Plant Operator while still retaining the laboratory analyst duties. In 1999, the County built a Central Laboratory to conduct drinking water and wastewater regulatory analysis, and I was promoted to be the inaugural Laboratory Manager. I obtained certification as a Water Laboratory Analyst shortly thereafter. By that time, I was doing a fair amount of teaching in our industry, both at the Water Utility and as a contract instructor at the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Water Utility Director created the position of Environmental Trainer, and I transferred to that position in 2002. While working full-time and raising a family (my kids were teenagers), I enrolled in the University of Georgia’s Adult Education Master’s Degree program. I completed my M. Ed. in 2005. In 2008, I was promoted to Compliance Manager at the Water Utility, which is the job I currently hold. I am responsible for the Central Laboratory, the Business Office, and the Training Department.
Can you share a moment or experience that significantly impacted your professional growth?
Being asked to teach has tremendously impacted my professional growth. Early in my career, the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute needed a lab instructor to fill in and teach a week-long class, and they asked me to do so. I LOVED teaching! I learned a tremendous amount in preparing to teach the class, and my instruction was well received by the students. I taught some additional classes, which led to several subsequent milestones in my professional growth: teaching official certification classes on a local basis, being the Environmental Trainer for the Water Utility for a time, going back to school to complete my Master’s degree, and developing some online training courses. I still teach various classes from time to time.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role, and how have you overcome them?
One challenge, which is part of my job, is to explain highly technical scientific concepts to a variety of audiences in non-technical terms. Another challenge is keeping current on upcoming regulations that impact the Water Utility. It seems that there are times when regulations at the state and federal levels are coming fast and furious. It is sometimes a challenge to read and decipher what will impact us, if we should offer public comment, and what we need to do to prepare. I would also say that the speed of technological advances can be challenging. Treatment technologies are rapidly changing, along with the regulations. Currently, getting a handle on AI – its benefits and detriments in our field – is a formidable task.
How do you stay up to date with the latest advancements and trends in the water industry?
I read a lot. I also attend industry conferences. I particularly like to learn about new technologies from vendors and from people at other utilities who are using the technology we are considering.
How do you ensure that your team stays motivated and engaged in their work?
The atmosphere in Columbia County is one of teamwork and family, which I love! We call ourselves the Water Utility family. I get to know my employees. I care about them, and they know I care. I try to touch base with my employees on a regular basis. We routinely have meals together. In the Business Office, we have monthly birthday brunches to celebrate those who are having birthdays – we can’t shut down the office for the whole group to go out. In the lab, we typically go to lunch as a group to celebrate birthdays and other achievements, like winning the Lab of the Year competition for the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. I work hard to explain my expectations to my folks. I provide the training and the tools they need to do their jobs effectively, then I get out of their way and let them work. The managers that report to me are great at what they do; I don’t need to get in their way. My goal is to be a good servant-leader.
Can you describe an initiative you spearheaded or contributed to that you are particularly proud of?
I developed and taught a leadership and management class for Water Utility. It was designed for supervisors and managers who had worked their way into a supervisory or management role. Most employees in this circumstance have received no formal training in supervision, management, or leadership. I have taught multiple cohorts, and I think it has assisted several of my fellow employees with their professional growth.
What motivated you to get involved in several leadership roles over the years at WPI?
When I took my certification exams, I disagreed with a couple of items on the exam, so I contacted Ernie Earn, who served on the Georgia Operator Certification Board at the time. He set me up to be an item bank reviewer (a Subject Matter Expert that reviews items being considered for use on examinations). I fell in love with the whole psychometric process. From there I was invited to join the Laboratory Exam Committee. I felt like being involved in WPI was a way I could give back to the industry.
In 2001, I was appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water/Wastewater Operator Certification Board, which is a member of WPI. After attending my first WPI conference, I was asked to consider running for a leadership role in WPI. I was honored to be elected as the Wastewater Treatment Division Director for WPI in 2003. I was subsequently elected to serve as an officer from 2004 – 2007. I still believe my involvement with WPI is a way to give back to the water and wastewater industry; to have a lasting positive impact on future generations of operators and laboratory analysts.
What advice would you give to women aspiring to take on a leadership role in the water industry?
Work in an organization where the leadership respects its employees and encourages them to be successful, don’t wait to be promoted to learn what you need to know to move up in your organization, and be a leader, even if you haven’t been promoted to an official leadership position. Being a leader means doing what needs to be done because it needs to be done, not for the accolades. I would also say don’t be afraid to let others know you are smart, but be humble, not arrogant. Strive to keep learning. I would encourage women to be involved in organizations or associations outside of work related to our industry – WPI, AWWA, WEF, your local operator association.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?
The lifelong friends I have made is definitely the most rewarding aspect. I can’t begin to name all of the wonderful people I have met in the United States and other countries throughout my career that I truly consider friends. A close second would be the knowledge that I have served my community by protecting public health and the environment. Think about it – I’ve been able to be part of making sure people have clean water to drink – water that does not make them sick. I also play a role in cleaning the dirty water before returning it to the environment, preserving water resources for future generations.
