Skip to main content
2026 Annual Conference and Expo Main banner
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Final Program


AC26 Brochure

Helen N. Hu, P.E.

EchoWater Facility O&M Manager II
Sacramento Area Sewer District
Elk Grove, CA

Helen Hu is the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Manager II with the Sacramento Area Sewer District (SacSewer). In this role, Helen oversees a workforce of about 200 technical and administrative staff in supervisory and non-supervisory positions that are responsible for the 24/7 operation and maintenance of the EchoWater Resource Recovery Facility (EchoWater Facility).

Helen has over 22 years of experience in the wastewater industry, including operation and maintenance; regulatory and compliance in areas of process safety, air quality and climate change, NPDES, recycled water, and solid waste management; budget administration and audit; workforce and organization development; training and labor relations.

Helen started her career in 2002 with SacSewer as an Assistant Civil Engineer at the EchoWater Facility and continues to advance to her current position. Helen was inspired to pursue the field of wastewater during a high school field trip that showed the process of treating dirty water to clean water and being able to put it back to the environment for beneficial reuse. Helen pursued her interests in wastewater at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Engineering. While at Cal Poly, Helen worked at Smucker’s fruit processing plant in Oxnard, CA as a Pre-treatment Plant Operator to “get her feet wet” in the field.

Helen is a licensed Civil Engineer with the State of California and is actively involved with California Water Environment Association (CWEA). Helen currently serves as the Vice Chair on CWEA's Northern Regional Committee and Conference Co-Chair for the 2026 Annual Conference. Helen also serves as a Facilitator in the Sacramento County's award-winning Leadership Development Academy program.

Outside of work, Helen is a wife and mother of two kids, enjoys cooking, crocheting, watching crime shows, and reading.

Disclosure information not submitted.

Presentation(s):