Wes Hubbard ready to go

The Point Roberts water district recently underwent a change in leadership, with Wesley Hubbard taking over as the new manager following the retirement of former manager Dan Bourks last month. Hubbard, who has been part of the water district team since 2021, previously served as the assistant manager. 

A Point Roberts native from one of the original Icelandic families that settled in the area, Hubbard expressed his deep connection to the community, stating, “I never felt at home anywhere but Point Roberts.” Having graduated as one of three valedictorians from Blaine High School in 2003, Hubbard is married to another descendant of the original Icelandic settlers, Heather Magnusson, and the couple are proud parents to a two-year-old daughter. 

With a degree in math and physics, Hubbard brings a valuable educational background to his role. Prior to joining the water district, he worked on computer modeling for airport passenger flow and gained experience in construction and water main installation while employed by an excavation contractor. 

As the new manager, Hubbard is committed to maintaining the functionality of the water system and implementing necessary improvements. He finds satisfaction in the variety of daily tasks, which range from office work to equipment maintenance and water quality monitoring. Currently, the district is finalizing a comprehensive plan, focusing on operational and capital improvements. 

One of the major challenges faced by the district is the presence of aging pipes, and the comprehensive plan will play a role in securing funding for their replacement.

Hubbard explained, “We have a water system that works pretty well, but we have aging pipes. That is something that we will need to work on replacing.” The district plans to replace the pipes in sections, having already addressed some sections on Roosevelt, Province, and Cliff roads. Given that most of the system dates back to the 60s and 70s, this process is anticipated to span over a 10-year period. 

The Point Roberts water district operates with a small crew, including Kelli Wallace at the front desk and Mitchell Nevi working alongside Hubbard. With their new manager in place, the district looks forward to tackling challenges and ensuring a sustainable water future for the community.