El Paso Water Spotlights Manuel Perez for 2018 Engineers Week

Manuel Perez Energy Management Coordinator Manuel Perez is not afraid of a challenge. As a child he was often found taking apart appliances to see how they operated, and if he could make them work again. He laughs today saying, “Eventually they worked.” Although he began his career as an electrical engineer, Manuel enjoys “reinventing” himself. He now works to conserve energy at El Paso Water by evaluating the life-time energy usage of plants, equipment and processes throughout the utility. “My job deals with all matters of energy whether it be electrical, gas or renewable energy,” he says. “Primarily, over 90 percent of energy that we require at EPWater is to move water. This includes pumping well water to the surface and pushing water through pipelines.” In addition to finding ways to conserve energy, Manuel is drafting an Energy Management Master Plan that he thinks will significantly save the Utility energy and money in the future. For those looking to pursue a career in engineering, Manuel offers this advice, “Take ownership of what you want to do. If you want to do something, be good at it. Don’t be satisfied with mediocrity.”