Sometimes we have to dig to take care of our district, though we wish it wasn't necessary. We're so thankful for team members like Luis, Dylan, and Daniel. They make sure that if we have to dig, we do our best to clean up and leave things like we found them. Thanks for the hard work, guys!
Have you been following Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs's small business series?? Well... Stay tuned next week... 👀
First Utility District has 13,901 manholes in our district. That's 13,901 manholes that could, over time, have issues with corrosion without proper upkeep. 13,901 manholes where roots could create cracks inside the structure, allowing in ground water.
So what's the big deal? It's just a sewer down there, so what's the problem with extra water getting in? Well, everything in that system goes to the Water Resource Recovery Facility. That extra ground water has to go through the same treatment process as typical, and that would lead to a lot of wasted money. So, how do we keep that from happening at 13,901 places around our district? Every year, our friends at CTR Coatings help us coat 150 to 300 manholes, and we will do that until they are all coated with a lifetime coating! Thanks for suiting up to help us, CTR!
Ever seen a team lay pipe? Watch it done in 30 seconds starting... NOW.
Congratulations to the TAUD Water Operator of the Year, Craig Mayes! Way to go, Craig!
Earlier in the summer, our Osprey camera lens got covered in a residue (we wouldn't say “poop” per se but... It's probably poop). We hoped rain would wash the camera, but unfortunately the rain did not. Because of this, the Osprey camera is permanently until next season. We will clean the camera in the winter while the Osprey are away.
To cheer us all up, check out this video from earlier in the year when egg #1 hatched! Momma Osprey noticed the egg begin to crack about an hour before the video starts, and she calls to dad. You'll see dad arrive right on time with fish about 10 seconds into the video!
What would you miss?
Sometimes we all need a Monday pick me up... So, here's a moment we captured at the golf tournament last week... No words.
We had a great time at the golf tournament for Tennessee Utility Political Action Committee (TUPAC)! TUPAC promotes the views of Tennessee utilities on selected legislative issues. Our team served lunch and helped pull off a successful fundraiser! Bruce, Pat, Jeremy, Brad, Chris and Ryan even got out on the course!
We love seeing our engineers and our operations team sit around the same table to plan projects together! Around here, we don't believe in information silos, especially when it comes to decision making. We can't wait to see the finalized plans for this new pump station, and we know they will be even better because of each and every person who contributed to the process!
Virtual Award ceremonies just aren’t the same as in person events, but this group made the most of Water Environment Federation (WEF)'s virtual awards celebration! We loved getting to thank our foreman for all their hard work during the 2019 flood, they truly are "Water Heroes"! Our commissioners even came out to celebrate!
See that thirty-two foot long pump beside Marty? What about that building right behind the crane? Yesterday, our guys moved that 32 foot pump back into the intake building! The crane lifted it, Marty and Nick directed it through an opening in the roof, and then Travis, Chris, Davin, Jason, and Rodney guided it into place. It takes a team!
It's one of our FAVORITE times of year.... The staff wide FUD chili cookoff! To avoid large groups, instead of one giant chili cookoff competition, we're doing qualifying rounds and a final 5!
Who qualified yesterday you ask?? From the Operations team: congrats Josh Matthews! From the clean water plant: congrats Steve Bednarczyk! We now have two of our Final Five competitors. The qualifying rounds last throughout November with the final on December 1st! Good luck everyone!
The last ten years, First Utility has undergone big changes. Kena and Chloe shared about those in their presentation "The Foundation of Running Your Utility Like a Business,” which they presented with Jim Marshall and Sarah Chandler (Jackson Thornton). The presentation was recorded for utility leadership all over Tennessee to view safely. Let’s keep growing in 2021!
Yesterday was General Manager Bruce Giles' 10 year anniversary. We worked hard to keep this video a secret from him, using an offsite location to film. Bruce, we're so thankful for you.
TOMORROW! Join us for a Webinar with Mayor Glenn Jacobs! Chloe will be opening the webinar, and Adrian Hall from Movement Mortgage will be moderating the discussion! We'll have live Q/A during the second half of our conversation. Already know you have questions? Email them to julie@farragutchamber.com to get your questions added to the official program! We'll see you THERE!
THU, OCT 29
Taking Charge (When You Aren't in Charge): A Leadership Conversation w/ Mayor Glenn Jacobs
Remember that time you helped us name the CCTV (camera equipped) robot?? Optimus Grime is still rolling around in our collection system finding any pipe defects that need to be repaired! He loves his name!
Does it look like Travis is washing a swimming pool?? This massive basin is one step in the water treatment process. When water comes into our plant from the lake, it immediately gets dosed with poly aluminum chloride. That product causes the turbidity in the water (impurities like dirt, leaves, etc.) to be drawn together like magnets. The turbidity continues to clump together until they becomes so heavy that they sink to the bottom of the basin. The cleaner water on top heads to the filters. The basins help us clean water... And every so often Travis has to give our basins a good cleaning!
Welcome to the team, Derek! Derek Hurst worked for the Hamilton County Health Department before joining our Drinking Water Plant. Derek, we're so glad to have you!
It's day ONE of February Frenzy! We thought we would share some favorites throughout the month! Staff pick #1 is the Anne of Green Gables series! Stina says this about the series:
"I love the Anne books because every character is an old friend and because L. M. Montgomery’s loving descriptions of people and places always remind me that 'there is so much in the world for us all if we only have the eyes to see it, and the heart to love it…. So much everywhere in which to delight, and for which to be thankful' (Anne of the Island)."
(Note: Staff picks may or may not be appropriate for all ages. Please review age appropriateness for each individual reader) Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs Knox County Public Library
It's Friday! Time to announce the BIG competition in February! Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs Knox County Public Library
You can find all rules and regulations for the competition in the comments below!
Exciting things are coming in February... Full details coming your way THIS FRIDAY! 🎉(In partnership with Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs)
Oh boy... Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs
Fernando or Bernie? We can’t tell.... #FunnyFriday