Clarksville Gas & Water, in blue, faced off against Clarksville Fire & Rescue, in black, in the annual broomball competition. The big winner of the night was United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region. PHOTO COURTESY OF CLARKSVILLE GAS & WATER
ClarksvilleGas&Wateroffersthispublication atnochargetoitscustomers.Tooptoutofthe quarterlymailingofTheServiceLine,email gasandwater@cityofclarksville.com.
Clarksville Gas & Water geared up to join the annual broomball competition in March at the Ford Ice Center in downtown Clarksville.
The main event pitted the Montgomery County squad against a team from the Fort Campbell military installation in Kentucky. Next up was a matchup between the Montgomery County Highway Department and the Clarksville Street Department. Wrapping up the night was a clash between Clarksville Gas & Water team and Clarksville Fire & Rescue.
The competition was friendly yet fierce. The big winner in the end was the United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region, which benefited from contributions raised during the broomball tournament.
The Clarksville Water Plant hosted a site tour in early April for local Scouting America Pack 503 to support its “Spirit of Water” project.
Clarksville Water Plant Manager Phillip Whittinghill led a group of 20 Scouts, Scout leaders and parents through the water treatment process, starting from the intake at the Cumberland River, to the endpoint of finished water, and then a final stop at the system controls and monitoring room.
Phillip highlighted the vital role of the state-certified water plant operators who treat water to make it safe to drink. These individuals are one of three subdepartments that make up the Water Operations Division. The complete water system operations includes Water Distribution— water storage tanks, pumps, underground pipe and service connections— and Water Construction, which maintains and repairs the underground water pipe system. Most water personnel are state certified or are working toward their designated certification in their field of expertise.
This dedicated group of water professionals works around the clock and on weekends and holidays to ensure our community receives safe and clean drinking water that meets or exceeds regulations set by the Environmental Protection Agency and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. More than 250,000 consumers in the ClarksvilleMontgomery County area receive this water.
Clarksville Gas & Water applauds the Water Operations Division team for the work it does and for always taking time to host and educate our next generation of water plant operators.
Learn more at www.clarksvillegw.com.
Clarksville Gas & Water is committed to delivering the safest and highest-quality water every time you turn on the tap. Our Fire Hydrant Flushing Program is one of several processes designed to help us meet that commitment.
Fire hydrant flushing is a routine maintenance process where we open hydrants to allow water to flow for several hours. Flushing is necessary to remove sediment and mineral buildup from water mains and to circulate the water to improve water age preventing stagnant water problems.
Throughout the year, you may notice water running along the street while a hydrant is flushing. You may also notice some hydrants being flushed are left unattended. There’s no need for alarm—personnel will return to turn them off once the flushing process is finished.
Visit www.clarksvillegw.com to learn more about our fire hydrant flushing program or see a list of scheduled hydrant
flushing and testing. Check this list often to learn when hydrant flushing is scheduled in your neighborhood.
If you notice a leaking hydrant not on the flushing schedule, it may need repair. Report it to the customer service department at 931-645-7400.
Residents in the immediate vicinity of an active flushing site may experience temporary discoloration of their water. The discoloration consists primarily of harmless silt and air and does not affect the safety of the water. If you experience discoloration in your water after hydrant flushing in your neighborhood, clear the pipes in your home by running all cold water faucets for a few minutes.
Thank you for your cooperation as we do the important and necessary job of maintaining the integrity of our water system to continue delivering safe and high-quality water to your home.
Why is my gas bill still high when it was warmer this month than last month?
At Clarksville Gas & Water, the due date of our bills is approximately a month after use. This time accounts for reading input, use/rate calculation, printing and mailing bills. When reviewing your bill, check the billing period to see the time frame of your gas use.
For example, the due date, located at the top of the bill example included, is March 25. However, this bill is for gas used from Jan. 27 to Feb. 27, as shown under the billing period in the middle of the bill. Clarksville Gas & Water bills are based on actual use, so the amount billed is directly related to how much gas was used the previous month.
You can also compare your current use to that of the past few months in the usage history portion of the bill located toward the bottom. For further questions concerning your bill, visit www.clarksvilletn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2701/ How-to-Read-My-Bill.
Is it cheaper for me to leave my gas service on all year or have it turned off throughout the summer and turned back on for the winter?
For most customers, including those who only use gas service for heat, it is cheaper to leave the service on all year long.
For instance, a customer may have two sets of gas logs in their home and normally uses them November through March. Throughout the remainder of the year, that customer’s bill would display zero use each month. As an Inside-City customer, the customer would owe the minimum bill each month—a $13 meter
Email gasandwater@cityofclarksville.com, or use the provided QR code, to submit service- or industry-related questions.
We have the answers to your questions regarding gas, water and sewer service, system operations, bills and other related issues.
charge. They would pay $91 for the seven months they do not use gas for heat.
There is a $100 service fee to have gas service turned on during business hours. By leaving their gas service on all year, the customer saves $9.
Even so, we suggest customers do their own calculations to find the best option according to their individual needs.
For Monitoring Period Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2024
Is my drinking water safe?
Absolutely! The City of Clarksville Water Treatment Plant is proud to report that your drinking water meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The water is tested and checked continuously each day to make sure it is safe. Thousands of tests are performed each month on the water leaving the treatment plant, as well as the water traveling through the distribution system to your homes, businesses and industries.
A Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) Level 1 assessment was required and completed. During the past year, we were required to conduct ONE Level 1 assessment. ONE Level 1 assessment was completed. In addition, we were required to take ONE corrective action and we completed ONE corrective action. During the past year, ZERO Level 2 assessments were required to be completed for our water system and subsequently no corrective actions were required.
Although monitoring detected the presence of contaminants in small quantities, they tested well below the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) established by the EPA and regulated by Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC).
it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or human activity. Your water, which is surface water, comes from the Cumberland River. We ask that all customers help us protect your drinking water sources, which are the heart of our community, our way of life and our children’s future.
Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
Microbial Contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations or wildlife.
Inorganic Contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or may result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming.
Pesticides and Herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff and residential uses.
Organic Chemical Contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production and may also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff and septic systems.
The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground,
Radioactive Contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or may be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.
An explanation of Tennessee’s Source Water Assessment Program, the Source Water Assessment summaries, susceptibility scorings and the overall
TDEC report to EPA can be viewed online at the following web address, https://www.tn.gov/environment/ program-areas/wr-water-resources/ water-quality/source-waterassessment.html or you may contact the Clarksville Water Treatment Plant to obtain copies of specific assessments. Our goal is to protect our water from contaminants and we are working with the state to determine the vulnerability of our water source to potential contamination. TDEC has prepared a Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) Report for the untreated water sources serving our water system. The SWAP Report assesses the susceptibility of untreated water sources to potential contamination. To ensure safe drinking water, all public water systems treat and routinely test their water. Water sources have been rated as reasonably susceptible (high), moderately susceptible (moderate) or slightly susceptible (low) based on geologic factors and human activities in the vicinity of the water source. The Clarksville Water Treatment Plant source is rated as reasonably susceptible to potential contamination.
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA and TDEC prescribe regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in
for up to several hours. Flushing is necessary to remove sediment and mineral buildup from water mains and to circulate the water to help prevent stagnant water problems from developing. Throughout the year, you may notice water running along the street where water department personnel are flushing hydrants. Hydrants are often left unattended, but do not be alarmed; personnel will return to turn them off once the flushing process is finished. You may view a list of scheduled hydrant flushing and testing on the Clarksville Gas & Water website, www.clarksvillegw.com. If you notice a leaking hydrant not on the schedule, it may in fact need repair. Please report it to our customer service department at 931-645-7400
Our city council meets on the first Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. in the City Hall council chambers at 108 Public Square. For more information about your drinking water, call Phillip Whittinghill, Water Plant Superintendent at 931-553-2440
Este informe contiene información importante acerca de su agua potable. Haga que alguien lo traduzca para usted, o hable con alguien que lo entienda.
(Data presented in this table is from testing done for UCMR4 between August 2018 & November 2019)
Contaminant
Chlorpyrifos
Total Permethrin
Alph-Hexachlorocyclohexane
Dimethipin
Oxyfluorfen
Profenofos
Tebuconazole
<MRL 2018-2019 ppb
<MRL 2018-2019 ppb
<MRL 2018-2019 ppb
<MRL 2018-2019 ppb
<MRL 2018-2019 ppb
<MRL 2018-2019 ppb
<MRL 2018-2019 ppb
<MRL 2018-2019 ppb
Tribufos <MRL 2018-2019 ppb
Ethoprop <MRL 2018-2019 ppb
Butylated Hydroxyanisole
<MRL 2018-2019 ppb
O-Toluidine <MRL 2018-2019 ppb Quinoline <MRL 2018-2019 ppb
2018-2019 ppb
2-Methoxyethanol <MRL 2018-2019 ppb
2-Propen-1-ol <MRL
Cylindrospermopsin
<MRL 2018-2019 ppb
Anatoxin-A <MRL 2018-2019 ppb
Microcystin <MRL 2018-2019 ppb
(Data presented in this table is from testing done for UCMR5 between 2024 & 2025)
NFDHA <MRL 2024-2025 ppt
PFBA <MRL 2024-2025 ppt
PFBS <MRL 2024-2025 ppt
PFDA <MRL 2024-2025 ppt
PFDoA <MRL 2024-2025 ppt
PFEESA <MRL 2024-2025 ppt
PFHpA <MRL 2024-2025 ppt
PFHpS <MRL 2024-2025 ppt
PFHxA <MRL 2024-2025 ppt
PFHxS <MRL 2024-2025 ppt
PFMBA <MRL 2024-2025 ppt
PFMPA <MRL 2024-2025 ppt
PFNA <MRL 2024-2025 ppt
PFOA <MRL 2024-2025 ppt
PFOS <MRL 2024-2025 ppt
*<MRL=Below Minimum Reporting Level
Unregulated contaminants are those for which EPA has not established drinking water standards. The purpose of unregulated contaminant monitoring is to assist EPA in determining the occurrence of unregulated contaminants in drinking water and whether future regulation is warranted.
For additional information, call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.
Parts per trillion (ppt) or Nanograms per liter – explained as a relation to time and money as one part per trillion corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years, or a single penny in $1,000,000,000,000.
(Most of the data presented in this table is from testing done between January and December of 2024, except in the case of substances for which annual testing is not required.)
MCL: Maximum Contaminant Levels, or highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level Goal, or the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLG’s allow for a margin of safety.
MRDL: Maximum Residual Disinfection Level means a level of a disinfectant added for water treatment that may not be exceeded at the consumer’s tap without an unacceptable possibility of adverse health effects.
MRDLG: Maximum Residual Disinfection Level Goal, or the level
of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
LRAA: Locational Running Annual Average is the locational average of four consecutive quarters. Used in determining compliance for the TTHM and HAA5.
Discretionary language regarding the use of averages to report levels of some contaminants.
AL: Action Level, or the concentration of a contaminant which, when exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
Think Before You Flush
Flushing unused or expired medicines can be harmful to your drinking water. Properly disposing of unused or expired medication helps protect you and the environment. Keep medications out of Tennessee’s waterways by disposing in one of our permanent pharmaceutical take-back bins. There are nearly 340 take-back bins located across the state in all 95 counties, to find a convenient location, visit https://tdeconline.tn.gov/rxtakeback/.
What is thermal expansion?
Thermal expansion occurs when water is heated. Heated water expands and if there is nowhere for it to go it can cause a significant rise in pressure in your plumbing system. All backflow prevention devices, pressure reducing valves and many water meters are manufactured with check valves. The valves are a safety feature that protects the city water supply from contamination; however, they create a closed water system for your plumbing system downstream of the meter.
What can be done about thermal expansion?
This potential increase in water pressure may damage water heaters, plumbing systems and fixtures. To address this issue, thermal expansion tanks are often installed. The tanks are designed to absorb the increased pressure and volume of water that occurs when the temperature of the water rises.
Learn some of the signs of thermal expansion from the list below and call a plumbing professional if you notice any of the signs.
Some signs of thermal expansion:
• Relief valve on a water heater drips during the recovery cycle
• Sudden surge of water when a faucet is first turned on, then water pressure drops
• Premature failure of water heaters, plumbing and fixtures
• Hot water in the cold water lines
More details may be viewed on the Clarksville Gas & Water website, www.clarksvillegw.com.
WATER TREATMENT PLANT
Clarksville, TN 37040
Ph. 931-553-2440
www.clarksvillegw.com
MAYOR
The Honorable Joe Pitts
GENERAL MANAGER
Mark Riggins
WATER OPERATIONS DIVISION MANAGER
Chris Lambert
WATER OPERATIONS DIVISION ASSISTANT MANAGER
Chris Cherry
WATER TREATMENT PLANT MANAGER
Phillip Whittinghill
WATER TREATMENT PLANT ASSISTANT MANAGER
Adam Collins
IMPORTANT RESOURCES
EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline 800-426-4791
TENNESSEE SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT PROGRAM
https://www.tn.gov/environment/programareas/wr-water-resources/water-quality/ source-water-assessment.html
TENNESSEE UNWANTED PHARMACEUTICALS
Take Back Program
https://tdeconline.tn.gov/rxtakeback/
The Clarksville Gas Department recently began a maintenance project in the Sango area for Global Positioning System mapping and monitoring of the natural gas system Identifiable Gas Department personnel are present in neighborhoods and around businesses to locate and identify existing natural gas infrastructure on weekdays during daylight hours over the next two to three months.
The goal is to map the natural gas system where needed for an improved and
more efficient method of safely locating underground utility infrastructure for future repair or improvement work.
As the work progresses through the system, announcements for new work locations will be available at www.clarksvillegw.com and published through normal outlets.
If you have questions, call the Clarksville Gas Department at 931-645-7422 during business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
March 18 marked Natural Gas Utility Workers’ Day—a time when communities recognize employees who help provide a valuable asset: natural gas.
A school explosion in New London, Texas, on March 18, 1937, led to the widespread odorization of natural gas and an increased emphasis on safety. Safety is a vital aspect to natural gas distribution, and distribution companies work to make natural gas delivery as safe as possible through employee training, systems inspections and public outreach.
This annual nationwide event is a time to build public awareness about the hard work done by those who work in the natural gas field. That includes employees
of the Clarksville Gas Department who safely deliver natural gas to more than 30,000 customers and maintain 989 miles of gas distribution line. Customers recognize the need to access reliable, affordable, safe energy and depend on natural gas service and employees for this need.
“Clarksville Gas employees demonstrate their daily commitment to the safe delivery of natural gas service, and we recognize their commitment to the community today and every day,” says Troy Jones, Clarksville Gas Department manager.
Clarksville Gas & Water invites you to support natural gas as a premier energy source for our country. As the cleanestburning fossil fuel, natural gas can help
us achieve energy security and build a more competitive economy.
“Please join us as we recognize our natural gas utility employees for their expertise in the field of natural gas,” says Mark Riggins, Clarksville Gas & Water general manager. “Employees demonstrate exceptional performance with focus on safety in the delivery of natural gas service to our community, and I am very proud to recognize them today.”
Learn more about the environmental, safety and cost benefits of natural gas and how your natural gas system works by contacting the Clarksville Gas Department at 931-645-7422 or by visiting www.clarksvilletn.gov/251/Gas.
Clarksville Gas & Water is looking for skilled and ambitious candidates to join our team of utility professionals.
We o er a competitive salary; a robust bene ts package, including employer-paid retirement and holidays; on-the-job training and various paths for career advancement in a satisfying work environment. Please visit our job opportunities website or scan the QR code to learn more or to apply today.
Gas & Water job openings as of May 2025:
• Engineer (various levels)
• Equipment Maintenance Mechanic
• Utilities Equipment Operator
• Water Construction Worker
• Wastewater Construction Worker
• Gas Construction Worker
www.clarksvilletn.gov/
From standout quarterly performers to top annual honorees,
Clarksville Gas & Water is proud to recognize the outstanding employees who received Employee of the Quarter and End of Year awards for their exceptional job performance in 2024.
Employee of the Quarter award nominations are submitted by employees who recognize a co-worker for consistently demonstrating job excellence in serving fellow employees and Gas & Water customers. A committee then reviews the nominations and selects award winners in five categories: administrative, customer service, gas, water and wastewater.
From this elite group, the committee selects the End of Year award winners for each category. Overall Employee of the Year was awarded to grant analyst Carlye Sommers.
Clarksville Gas & Water is also proud to announce the 2024 General Manager’s Award of Excellence was presented to Terry “T.C.” Chester, water measurement technician II, for outstanding career achievement. The 2024 Wade Rudolph Manager of the Year was awarded to Brian Shelton, Wastewater Operations Division manager, for significant accomplishments in the wastewater division.
We applaud each award winner for their contributions to their fellow employees, Gas & Water customers and the City of Clarksville. n
ABOVE: Terry “T.C.” Chester, water measurement technician II, received the 2024 General Manager’s Award of Excellence.
LEFT: Brian Shelton, Wastewater Operations Division manager, is the 2024 Wade Rudolph Manager of the Year. PHOTOS COURTESY OF CLARKSVILLE GAS & WATER
Quarter 1 (January-March) award winners are, from left, Carlye Sommers, LeShae Carney, Dale Wiggins, Michelle Dortch and Ricky Hill.
Quarter 1 (January-March):
Administrative: Carlye Sommers, Grant Analyst
Service: Michelle Dortch, Utilities
Customer Service Representative II
Gas: LeShae Carney, Administrative Support Specialist
Water: Dale Wiggins, Water Pump/Lift Station Mechanic II
Wastewater: Ricky Hill, Wastewater Pump/Lift Station Senior Mechanic
Quarter 2 (April-June):
Service: Marquez McClure, Customer Service Field Technician II
Gas: A.J. Johnson, Gas Senior Construction Worker
Water: Shawn Summers, Water Construction Crew Chief
Quarter 2 (April-June) award winners are, from left, Marquez McClure, Shawn Summers, Garrett Hawkins and A.J. Johnson.
Wastewater: Garrett Hawkins, Utility Equipment Operator II
Quarter 3 (July-September):
Administrative: Wayne Lankford, Public Utilities Inspector
Water: Nicholas Oliver, Utilities Equipment Operator
Wastewater: Andrew Robertson, Utilities Equipment Operator II
Gas: Loycobe McVea, Gas Senior Construction Worker
Service: Chad Choate, Customer Field Technician II
Quarter 4 (October-December):
Administrative: Jessica Biter, Public Utilities Accountant
Gas: Christian Johnson, Gas Utilities
Quarter 3 (July-September) award winners are, back row from left, Wayne Lankford, Nicholas Oliver and Andrew Robertson, and in the front row, from left, Loycobe McVea and Chad Choate.
FAR LEFT: Quarter 4 (October-December) award winners are, from left, Ryan Tucker, Jessica Biter, Randy Rhea and Christian Johnson.
LEFT: End of Year award winners are, from left, Dale Wiggins, Carlye Sommers, LeShae Carney, Randy Rhea and Chad Choate.
Senior Equipment Operator
Water: Ryan Tucker, Public Utilities Inspector
Wastewater: Randy Rhea, Wastewater Construction Crew Chief
End of Year Award Winners (by category):
Administrative: Carlye Sommers, Grant Analyst
Service: Chad Choate, Customer Field Technician II
Gas: LeShae Carney, Administrative Support Specialist
Water: Dale Wiggins, Water Pump/Lift Station Mechanic II
Wastewater: Randy Rhea, Wastewater Construction Crew Chief
Orzo Salad With Shrimp and Lemon Dressing
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon zest
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1½ teaspoons kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup uncooked orzo
8 ounces fresh asparagus, trimmed and diagonally sliced into 1-inch pieces
4 ounces fresh sugar snap peas, trimmed
1 cup fresh or frozen English peas, thawed if frozen
12 ounces medium raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh chives
¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Whisk together oil, zest, juice, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside. Prepare orzo according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain. Transfer orzo to a bowl. Cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes. While orzo cooks, bring a large saucepan of water to boil over high heat. Add asparagus and sugar snap peas to boiling water. Cook until bright green and tender-crisp, about 2 minutes. Add English peas. Stir until softened, about 30 seconds. Using a slotted spoon, transfer vegetables to an ice bath, reserving boiling water in saucepan. Add shrimp to boiling water. Cook until opaque, about 3 minutes. Drain. Transfer shrimp to ice bath with vegetables. Let stand until chilled, about 3 minutes. Drain. Toss together shrimp-vegetable mixture with orzo, and drizzle with dressing. Add chives and parsley. Toss to combine. Serve at room temperature or chilled.
OFFICE
2215 Madison St.
Clarksville, TN 37043
PHONE
931-645-7400
888-800-4020
OFFICE HOURS
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
EMERGENCY/ AFTER-HOURS PHONE 931-645-0116
REPORT A GAS LEAK
Day: 931-645-7422
After Hours: 931-645-0116 or 911
If you smell a strong natural gas odor, call 911!
MAYOR
The Honorable Joe Pitts
CHIEF OF STAFF
James Halford
GAS & WATER COMMITTEE
Deanna McLaughlin, Chair
Stacy Streetman
Travis Holleman
Jerry Haywood
Carlos Peters
GENERAL MANAGER
Mark Riggins
ASSISTANT
GENERAL MANAGER
Patrick Chesney
CHIEF UTILITY ENGINEER
Garth Branch, P.E.
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Dawn Thomack
CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGERS
Brandy Jarrell
Eddy Glenn
GAS DIVISION MANAGER
Troy Jones
WATER DIVISION MANAGER
Chris Lambert
WASTEWATER DIVISION MANAGER
Brian Shelton
OFFICE CLOSURES
Monday, May 26 - Memorial Day
Thursday, June 19 - Juneteenth
Friday, July 4 - Independence Day
Monday, Sept. 1 - Labor Day
