Lowell Regional Water Utility Foreman Jason Whitcomb stands at a work site on Middlesex Street. (Photo Courtesy City of Lowell)
LOWELL — Jason Whitcomb spent a dozen years working his way up from water utility technician, to excavator operator, to foreman to training coordinator before joining the Lowell Regional Water Utility (LRWU) and using his skills to empower the hard-working crews that he oversees.
As the Water Foreman, Whitcomb oversees about 10 LRWU employees who dig the holes, replace the pipes, and keep the City’s approximately 215 miles water distribution system functioning. Under his leadership, those work crews are now taking on far more complex jobs than they used to, and taxpayers are benefitting as a result.
He credits the work crews even more than himself.
“They’ve come a long way in the year that I’ve been here,” Whitcomb said. “They’re answering the phone at 11 o’clock, or three o’clock in the morning when its 2 degrees outside and no one wants to get out of bed, and they’re doing it because they know they have a job to do and because people need water.”
Whitcomb started his career with Pennichuck Water Works in Nashua. He came to the LRWU a year ago, with a goal of training and enabling work crews to take on more challenges so the city could reduce use of outside contractors.
Those efforts have been wildly successful, as LRWU crews have repaired over 45 water main breaks since last year, using outside contractors to respond to just three of the most complex and difficult repairs. LRWU crews save taxpayers from $10,000 to $30,000 per water main break, depending on complexity.
Whitcomb and his LRWU crews have also replaced about 30 fire hydrants around the city in the past year, once again saving taxpayers thousands of dollars per job.
He said that in addition to training LRWU workers in new skills, he also tries to enhance their problem-solving abilities, teaching them to think on their feet. Every repair is different.
“They’ve really stepped up on their end,” Whitcomb said of LRWU workers. “I’ve helped with the knowledge, but they’re the ones that are doing it all.”
Whitcomb also credits his wife Erica for his success, citing her patience and understanding when he has to respond to emergencies and work long hours. The couple has two daughters and a son.
“Jason has transformed the way our crews operate, building a culture of reliability, pride, and problem‑solving across the LRWU. His leadership and extensive experience have empowered the team to take on increasingly complex work, reducing our reliance on outside contractors and saving taxpayers significant resources,” said LRWU Executive Director Paul Pires. “He leads with humility and deep respect for his crew, always quick to credit their dedication and willingness to respond at all hours. There is no question that his guidance has elevated the entire operation, and the City of Lowell is fortunate to have him.”
(This is the latest in an ongoing series of profiles sharing the stories of the Lowell workers who keep the city running)
Jason Whitcomb, second from left, stands with one of his work crews. From left are Anthony Morales, Whitcomb, Alex Pride, and David Jarry. (Photo Courtesy City of Lowell)
