City of Sacramento Department of Utilities

07/28/2026

When staff in our Business Services Division need help navigating timesheets, benefits or leave requests, they know they can turn to Felisa Lugo Fuentes.

As a senior staff assistant, she serves as a trusted resource for employees, helping them navigate HR processes that can often feel confusing or overwhelming.

Felisa says her favorite part of the job is helping others, whether that's answering employees' questions, training new staff or finding ways to make a coworker's day a little easier.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and 4-year-old son, listening to podcasts, watching TV and cooking.

07/08/2026

Sacramento Splash, a nonprofit organization founded in 1999, works with cities and school districts to teach kids about science through hands-on lessons and field trips.

Splash, a nonprofit organization founded in 1999, works with capital region schools to teach kids about science in a hands-on way.

05/27/2026

An RC cola bottle from the 1950s, license plate, even a fishing pole— these are just a few of the unexpected items Jeff Garber has pulled from Sacramento’s drainage system.

As a utilities leadworker in drainage collection, he helps maintain the underground systems that keep neighborhoods from flooding during storms and prevent debris from reaching local waterways.

Much of that work now involves operating the City’s first-ever Vac-Con Recycler, an innovative truck that reuses water to clean thousands of feet of pipeline using a single tank.

Garber says his favorite part of the job is connecting with customers and serving the community he calls home.

Outside of work, he enjoys cheering on his daughter as she plays college softball in Kansas, riding bikes and hanging out with family.

05/26/2026

Your neighborhood probably runs a lot smoother because of this beast of a machine... Meet the Recycler Vac-Con.

05/05/2026

LET'S GET READY TO SHOVEL 🪏💪

Mulch Mayhem returns May 16 at the City's South Area Corp Yard (5730 24th St.)

Grab your free water-saving mulch from 8 a.m. to noon, or while supplies last ⏳

04/21/2026

When it comes to your drinking water, we’ve got the sniff test covered... along with many other tests to make sure it's safe to drink.

04/01/2026

Introducing the Department of Utilities Car Air Freshener collection.

Now you can take the scent of essential drinking water, stormwater and wastewater services on the road.

Enjoy the serene Reservoir Breeze, invigorating Sky Water, or soothing Midnight Flush scents today.

03/26/2026

Every time you turn on your tap and know your water is safe to drink, that confidence is due in part to Melanie Madsen.

As a quality manager for the City's Water Quality Laboratory Research and Development, she oversees the laboratory’s quality assurance program, ensuring testing from source water through the distribution system meets strict state and federal standards.

She is also part of a team developing new testing methods for PFAS, a group of man-made chemicals receiving increasing regulatory attention.

As a first-generation immigrant from China, Melanie takes pride in helping ensure drinking water is safe in her new hometown—something she says her 9-year-old daughter also proudly shares with classmates.

Outside of work, she enjoys competitive online video gaming and building an international StarCraft community with people from around the world, visiting art museums and exploring philosophy.