HOUSTON, TX — Freese and Nichols, Inc., hires Julie Huerta, PE, who specializes in water quality and regulatory compliance, to direct the company's program assisting clients in meeting new drinking water standards under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Revisions.

Huerta has 15 years of experience in the engineering field, including 12 years supporting public water systems in regulatory compliance. She spent a decade helping protect and optimize safe drinking water for Houston, the fourth-largest U.S. city with a population of 2.3 million.

She has worked with water districts of all sizes, most recently assisting more than 100 agencies in southeast Texas. She has helped develop and implement compliance programs related to the American Water infrastructure Act, Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans, and the Lead and Copper Rule.

“With her municipal experience, Julie understands what cities face to maintain their drinking water systems, especially with evolving rules,” said David Munn, a Freese and Nichols Water/Wastewater Treatment Group Manager. “She has insights into the operations, regulatory compliance, and engineering aspects of utility management. And she can work collaboratively with city staff, laboratories, operators, customers, and both state and federal regulatory agencies.”

Huerta will lead a Freese and Nichols team that is assisting cities across Texas and in multiple states to develop their programs for complying with the new federal rules for safe drinking water and lead pipe replacement.

She has a Bachelor of Science in engineering science from Trinity University in San Antonio.