David “Diver” Westerfield has spent a lifetime studying and understanding water and its properties.
The former purveyor of “Dive Cerulean” and 16-year veteran of the Cadiz Water Plant officially retired Thursday afternoon — and won’t be waiting long to once again make a splash.
Westerfield is one of many in the city to experience the changes in local water services — both as a citizen and as an operator.
The water here has always been relatively clean and certainly safe to drink, but the amount of filtration and orchestrated softness coming from the new plant has taken production to new levels — levels that didn’t previously exist in Cadiz.
An outdoor enthusiast, Westerfield said it was easy to make water quality a career.
Part of Westerfield’s job the last 16 years involved the testing of the city’s water, which takes about 90 minutes each day and looks for a myriad of factors — including fluoride in parts per million.
Among the nearly two decades of work memories, Westerfield takes with him a deep appreciation of the old Cadiz Water Plant, and the delicate care it needed to keep running efficiently.
Retirement will naturally come with perks. Westerfield noted he’s purchased 15 acres in Linton, and plans to “hide there” when temperatures are comfortable. He’s forsaken his motorcycle and put it up for sale, and plans to ride some mountain bike trails in LBL with friends.
But there’s also work that needs to be done — particularly within the Little River Boat Ramp Project, which is a 501-c3 non-profit organization looking to make local water ways more accessible and safe for the general public.
Two ramps, one at West Cadiz Park and one along Hwy. 272, are atop the list.
Casey Creek has been a recent focus for the non-profit, as well.
Perhaps way down the road, Westerfield said there’s hope and anticipation to open some tubing opportunities along Casey Creek, too, from Hwy. 525 down to Little River.
Retirement, of course, provides time for these pursuits.
