Many of the water pipes, sewer pipes and stormwater pipes belonging to the Waitaki District Council are in the care of 26-year-old Laila West.
Miss West is working out in the field as a foreman in the water reticulation division at Whitestone Contracting.
The Oamaru woman has been named Young Contractor of the Year for Otago, and is at the top of her game in what traditionally has been a male domain.
Miss West began working for the company in 2008, after deciding not to return to the University of Otago to complete a bachelor of commerce in economics and accounting.
''After a year, I was like I don't want to be stuck in a classroom,'' she said.
So, she signed up with a career agency.
''They asked me what I wanted to do, and I actually didn't know.''
With some experience working at her father's drainage business in the holidays, they found her a job at Whitestone Contracting.
''It was quite hard for them to find me a job, initially. I was a female with no qualifications,'' she said.
Starting as a labourer, she moved her way up the ranks.
''As the years have gone on and I've got more qualifications under my belt they've been giving me a little bit more responsibility here and there. That keeps it very exciting.''
She recently obtained her drainlayers ticket, and also holds national certificates in project management, civil infrastructure, civil construction works and water reticulation service.
Miss West has played leading roles in the Warren St and Waihemo water main upgrades, from the tendering process to the daily running of the projects in the field.
Working in a male-dominated industry had initially been daunting, but she said they looked after her well.
''At the time, I didn't realise how male dominated [the industry] was - I got here and I was like `Where are all my female workmates?'.
''But after a while you get to know them and they get to know you and ... they can sometimes be just like girls.''
Whitestone Contracting business development manager Linton Clarke said Miss West was one of the ''jewels'' of the company.
The company expected her to move into a supervisor's role in the next two years and contract management within five years.
''She definitely has the potential to go all the way in the industry.''
