Sabrina A. Figler currently serves as Director of Water Quality for the Erie County Water Authority. She was promoted to this position in November 2018 following more than 25 years of employment at the Authority as an Environmental Microbiology Technician. Ms. Figler serves as a liaison to the Erie County and New York State Departments of Health and to the Environmental Protection Agency and ensures the Authority meets all regulatory and compliance testing for the safety and quality of drinking water for the Authority’s customers.
Ms. Figler has authored and co-authored numerous articles related to testing and water quality and has presented papers at regional and national conferences of water quality professionals. She is an internationally recognized expert on zebra mussel macrofouling and taste and odor in the Great Lakes.
Upon accepting the position of Director of Water Quality, Ms. Figler began meeting with other Authority senior staff to develop a plan to educate the public about lead exposure and methods used to reduce such risk in drinking water. In Ms. Figler’s view, “The best way to arm our water customer against lead exposure is to educate them. Once educated, families can have peace of mind that the water they drink is clean and safe.” This public education plan, known as “Get the Lead Out,” has been rolled out before the Authority undertakes the 2019 Lead and Copper study.
Ms. Figler is a member of the American Water Works Association and of the American Society of Microbiology. She has a B.S. in Biology from the State University College at Buffalo.