Director of Wastewater Operations
Charlene Poulin serves as the Director of Wastewater Operations at the Portland Water District, where she leads day-to-day operations for wastewater collection and treatment systems. With over 20 years of experience in the water and wastewater industry, Charlene brings a strong foundation in system operations, asset management, and environmental compliance.
Since joining PWD in 2003, Charlene has held several leadership roles, including Wastewater Operations Foreperson and Chief Operator of Wastewater Systems, where she oversaw 130 miles of sewer infrastructure, 76 pump stations, and Combined Sewer Overflow structures. Prior to PWD, she worked as a data analyst at ADS Environmental Services.
Charlene holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Purdue University and maintains several professional certifications, including Grade 4 Collections, Grade 1 Laboratory, and Grade 1 Treatment licenses. She is also PACP certified, supporting data-driven decisions to improve pipeline reliability and performance.
In addition to her role at PWD, Charlene actively contributes to the water industry and community. She serves as Chair of the Board for the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership and as Personnel Advancement Chair for the Maine Water Environment Association.
Charlene is passionate about protecting water quality and advancing sustainable wastewater solutions.