Public works and water departments are the backbone of every community. They maintain the infrastructure people rarely think about but rely on every hour of every day: clean drinking water, wastewater collection, safe roadways, reliable fleet operations, emergency response, stormwater management, and more. Behind that essential work stands a workforce that must balance technical expertise, regulatory compliance, operational readiness, and fiscal responsibility — and CSS Senior Project Manager John DeLuca has spent more than four decades doing exactly that.
With over 40 years of experience across water, wastewater, fleet management, and construction, John brings a depth of knowledge that is both rare and invaluable to municipalities. His hands-on background, combined with strategic oversight and administrative leadership, enables him to support communities with challenges both large and small — from budget development and procurement to infrastructure resiliency, emergency response, and long-term planning.
An Expert Built Through Experience
John’s career reflects a lifetime of service to the public sector. He holds a broad range of certifications and licenses, including:
- MCPPO Full Procurement Certification
- FEMA IS-100 & IS-700
- Wastewater Collections Systems License
- Water Distribution Systems License
- Hoisting License
- CDL-B with Tanker Endorsement
Throughout his municipal leadership roles, John has managed multi-million-dollar operating and capital budgets, negotiated union contracts, supervised large teams, overseen fleet maintenance programs, directed infrastructure construction and repairs, and built strong relationships with local, state, and regional partners.
His combination of administrative expertise and field-tested experience gives him a unique perspective — one that municipalities trust when facing operational challenges, aging infrastructure, or the need to modernize systems.
John’s Impact Across Municipal Projects
Throughout his four decades in public works, water, and wastewater management, John has played a pivotal role in strengthening municipal operations, modernizing infrastructure, and helping communities prepare for the future. His leadership has supported a wide range of projects, including:
- Oversight of major water main replacement projects to address aging infrastructure and reduce system vulnerability.
- Coordination of wastewater pump station upgrades, including electrical improvements, equipment replacements, and flow monitoring enhancements.
- Implementation of MS4 stormwater compliance programs, including outfall inspections, Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) workflows, and annual reporting.
- Overhaul of municipal fleet management systems, improving maintenance schedules, procurement processes, and compliance tracking.
- Development and management of multi-million-dollar operating and capital budgets for public works and water departments.
- Management of MCPPO-compliant procurement processes for equipment, construction services, engineering contracts, and vendor agreements.
- Leadership during severe weather events, water main breaks, flooding, and storm-related emergencies, ensuring swift, coordinated response.
- Direct oversight of water treatment plant upgrades, facility renovations, and large-scale utility construction projects.
A Clear View of Why the Work Matters
“Public works operations maintain essential infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and solid waste removal. This work ensures reliable transportation networks and essential services, which are critical for the daily functioning of residents and the attraction and retention of businesses. Strong operational readiness allows departments to respond quickly to emergencies, such as water main breaks, severe weather events, and natural disasters. This resilience minimizes service disruptions and protects critical infrastructure during crises. Today’s modern public works and water management involve careful stewardship of natural resources. This includes managing stormwater runoff, protecting local water bodies from contamination, and implementing sustainable practices that benefit ecosystems for current and future generations. In theory, the work is meaningful because it is a silent, yet indispensable, service that makes all other community functions possible.” — John DeLuca, Senior Project Manager, CSS
A Trusted Partner for Municipalities
Whether addressing a staffing gap, modernizing aging infrastructure, improving readiness for winter operations, or supporting a long-term capital plan, John’s leadership and practical insight make him a trusted advisor to communities across the region.
His blend of operational experience, administrative skill, and calm, solutions-focused approach exemplifies CSS’s commitment to supporting municipalities with expertise that is both strategic and grounded in real-world knowledge.
About Capital Strategic Solutions
CSS is a certified woman-owned, disadvantaged business enterprise of municipal experts delivering creative, cost-effective solutions that maximize success and minimize risk. With deep local government expertise, we craft tailored strategies to meet each community’s unique needs.
Our capabilities span public administration, municipal finance, human resources, policy development, emergency management, public safety, public works, water operations, interim municipal services, public relations, community engagement, project management, grant writing, and onsite support. We partner with clients to define clear goals, overcome challenges, and implement human-centered plans that drive performance and transform communities.