Richard Diaz is celebrated as a Hydro20 honoree for his advocacy for transforming water infrastructure to protect public health, create local jobs, and prioritize investment in marginalized communities.

In cities like Milwaukee, where nearly 50% of Wisconsin’s lead service lines are concentrated yet receive only 10% of available funding, Diaz has championed efforts to accelerate lead line replacement and direct resources to areas with the greatest health risks, particularly low-income neighborhoods with median household incomes around or below $20,000.

Diaz emphasizes building trust through community-based outreach, partnering with neighborhood associations rather than utilities to engage residents. This approach ensures that communities, often wary of utility interactions, receive support from familiar organizations providing year-round services. He supports a block-by-block strategy that targets disenfranchised areas with poor health outcomes, maximizing the impact of infrastructure upgrades.

Recognizing the need for a larger, more diverse workforce, Diaz has supported initiatives to expand opportunities in skilled trades. In Milwaukee, he advocated for equity programs requiring contractors to allocate 40% of work hours to individuals from disadvantaged zip codes and include apprentices for roles like laborers, plumbers, and operating engineers. These efforts have notably diversified the talent pool, with many apprentices being women and people of color, creating sustainable career pathways.

Richard Diaz’s model for lead service line replacement, combining community collaboration, equitable workforce development, and targeted investment, has earned him a well-deserved place among the Hydro20 honorees.