Profiles of Hispanics at EPA: Neftalí Hernández-Santiago
Neftalí Hernández-Santiago, Section Chief
Region 7
Groundwater and Drinking Water Branch
Question: Where were you born?
Neftalí Hernández-Santiago: Puerto Rico.
Question: Where did you go to college? What was your major?
Neftalí Hernández-Santiago: I studied at the University of Puerto Rico. I have a bachelor’s of science in biology and a master’s in public health.
Question: What brought you to EPA?
Neftalí Hernández-Santiago: I always wanted to work for the agency. I was captivated by its mission: “to protect human health and the environment.”
Question: What kind of work do you do at EPA?
Neftalí Hernández-Santiago: I work as the section chief of the Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) section in Region 7. The Public Water System Supervision program is authorized by Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). SDWA regulatory requirements for drinking water systems are implemented through the PWSS program. These regulations help ensure that the public receives safe and adequate supplies of drinking water. The program supervises public water system. EPA, along with States and Tribes, regulate close to 150,000 public water systems.
Question: What message would you like to send young Latinos who are considering going to college?
Neftalí Hernández-Santiago: I think a college education is meaningful and worth every penny. Envision the kind of job you would like to do and then decide the educational path that will lead you to that job. Best luck to you.