(Feb. 5, 2010) -- LBReport.com is pleased to report that LB Water Department Deputy General Manager of Operations, Dr. Robert Cheng, was released from the hospital today (Feb. 5) following injuries sustained last month while checking an ELB pump station in advance of an approaching storm (part of January's major storm series).
As first reported by LBReport.com Senior Editor Sharon Katchen, Dr. Cheng was part of a three-person crew inspecting pump stations to ensure they could handle heavy rain expected from another in a series of strong storms later in the day (on Jan. 21). LB Water Dept. General Manager Kevin Wattier told LBReport.com on Jan. 23 that some erosion occurred [presumably from earlier storms]; a stairway moved...and a platform on which Dr. Cheng was standing collapsed and he fell into a wet well (concrete box in which storm water accumulates) and was trapped under fallen debris for some period of time. Photo source: LB Water Dept.
"Fortunately the pumps were turned off at the time so the other three employees heard the noise and rushed down there and were able to throw a fire hose down to Dr. Cheng and he wrapped it around his chest and working together they were able to rescue him," Mr. Wattier said.
Dr. Cheng underwent at least two surgeries, the first of which was to treat a serious leg lasceration.
The LB Water Dept. website says Dr. Cheng (Ph.D., P.E.) has been with the city agency since 1997...and continues:
[LB Water Dept. website text] Dr. Cheng has a variety of responsibilities, including planning, coordinating, maintaining and organizing the city's water, sanitary sewer and support services operations. He ensures the delivery of service, maintenance, resource allocation, capital improvement, operational safety, technological requirements and security of water resources and related capital.
In addition, he is responsible for the Department's water quality issues, including the operations of the 62.5 million-gallon-per-day Groundwater Treatment Plant and associated distribution system, four Water Quality Laboratories, and the Department's bottled water plant. He is also the primary Department contact with drinking water regulators, ensuring that compliance with present and future regulations is met.
Dr. Cheng began his career with the City in 1997 as the Department's Manager of Water Quality/Process. He was promoted to the position of Director of Operations in 2004, and subsequently, to the position of Deputy General Manager of Operations in 2005. Prior to joining the Department, Dr. Cheng worked as a process engineer with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (LaVerne, CA) where he performed numerous bench, pilot, and full-scale water treatment studies. Dr. Cheng also worked as a Senior Process Engineer for Black & Veatch Consulting Engineers (Kansas City, MO), conducting treatment studies for various utility clients. In addition, he has taught Water and Wastewater Treatment classes within the Civil Engineering Department at the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Dr. Cheng is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of California...
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