On Good Authority November 2022

November 2022

ON GOOD AUTHORITY Monthly Newsletter for Employees & Families of the Western Virginia Water Authority

VA AWWA Distribution Rodeo The VA AWWA Distribution Rodeo was held on Oct. 3-5, 2022 in Chesterfield, VA. Each year, the Utility Rodeo provides various competitive events in which participants compete against fellow utility personnel in demos of skill, speed, and safety. This year, our Hydrant Hysteria team finished second in the state!

Record-Breaking Campaign Numbers

We Hit Our Goal!

$30,156 2022 Campaign Total

50 employees who turned in their pledge forms will be drawn to receive 8 hours of PTO!

$30,000 2022 Goal

$28,000 2021 Donation to United Way

Upcoming Dates

From Back: Darrell Hairston, Kevin Hall, Chuck Hartless, Dillon Yopp, Louis Morgan, Chris Harris, Wayne Murrell, Maurice Wright, Chris Carey, John Moran, Allen Slaydon, Andrew Shaddix, Front Row: Ronnie Baker, Brian Whitenack, Greg Pinkard, Nathan Ratliff

Nov. 5: Employee Hike at Spring Hollow Nov. 6: Daylight Savings Nov. 8: Election Day Nov. 11: Floating Holiday - Veteran's Day Nov. 24 & 25: Thanksgiving Holiday Nov. 25 Native American Heritage Day

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Compensation and Classification Study Where does it stand and what are the next steps?

We've been working with Segal since the start in April 2022, and their Compensation and Classification study is nearing completion. A cost summary has been presented to the Authority Board of Directors whom have asked for a financial and rate review in the November meeting before recommending any actions. Any implementation will take a couple years to address full competitive market wage for positions and steps to address any compression.

Besides just wages, Segal will be providing new job descriptions, recommended pay structure/practices and position evaluator tools for future positions.

Writing 160 new job descriptions will take some time. A final study packet from Segal expected spring of 2023.

Water Outages Map Now Available This publicly accessible application displays water outages in real time. A collaboration between Engineering, Customer Service, and Field Operations allows information to be updated quickly for our customers. Visit the link in our home page to try it out!

Identify Your Pipe Material To help protect our customers, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed a Lead and Copper Rule Revision which requires water utilities to take inventory of pipe material on both the public (WVWA) and private (customer-owned) pipes. To date, no lead pipes have been found on the public side. Help us take inventory by identifying the pipe material at your home! Visit www.westernvawater.org/waterserviceline to learn more and report.

Lead Magnet will not stick Scratches easily with a key

Dull gray color, pipe is often curved

Galvanized Iron

Magnet will stick Harder material to scratch, gray color

Water Service Line GIS Map The water service line GIS Map is now live!

Copper Magnet will not stick Shiny copper color (like a penny) when scratched

Plastic pipe can be white or black and will often be labeled "PVC"

Threads at connection

Copper or brown color.

May have green tint

NOVEMBER 2022

Magnet will not stick Does not scratch

Black, silver or rust in color

The fitting is typically a different pipe material than lead

"Bulb" shape near fitting

White, Blue or Black Plastic Pipe

Blue plastic pipe can also be called PEX

ACHIEVEMENTS & EMPLOYEE BENEFIT HIGHLIGHT

RRWPCP Audit Success!

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) conducted a comprehensive audit of the Water Pollution Control Plant in October. We received a positive report with no major findings! This audit is conducted approximately every two years and looks at all areas from maintenance, SCADA, operations, laboratory/environmental programs and more. “It takes a village to run a wastewater plant”, said Lacy Burnette, Wastewater Operations Manager.

Some of the honorable mentions in the success of this audit were Lisa Workman (Laboratory Coordinator), Stephen Lofaro (SCADA Network Manager), Kevin Thomasson (Industrial Maintenance Manager) and the entire operations staff. "To be part of this team that is made up of several different divisions with hardworking individuals, pushes me to give my best. It is a great feeling to be part of an effort like that." exclaimed Jon Maples, Wastewater Operations Superintendent.

These audits often take place with very little warning. Lacy shared that It was really impressive to see how the team came together with very little prep time. “To have an operation this size and to see such a positive report speaks volumes about the people who work here! The inspection response shows that the Roanoke Regional Water Pollution Control Plant is an industry leader when it comes to wastewater treatment not only in the Commonwealth of Virginia, but across the Nation."

Employee Benefit Highlight

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Cameron Priest (Water Operations) cleaning basins at Carvins Cove Water Treatment Facility. Sedimentation Basins are cleaned twice a year to remove floc build up from organic matter. Oct. 19, 2022

Q: What is EAP? A: Carilion's Employee Assistance Program provides effective counseling, consulting, training and other services to WVWA employees and their dependents.

Q: How many visits do I get?

A: Employees have 4 free visits per incident per year (family, marital, financial, etc.)

Michelle Caruthers (Engineering) presenting an overview of WVWA's Capital Improvement Program to the Roanoke Regional Homebuilder Association. Aaron Shearer and Scott Kroll are members. Oct. 26, 2022

Q: Do I have to be on WVWA health insurance to use this benefit?

A: You do not have to be on WVWA insurance to use this benefit.

To set up at appointment call: 800-992-1931 or 540-981-8950 In case of crisis after hours call: 540-981-8950 and follow prompts or call 540-981-7000 and ask to page the counselor on-call

NOVEMBER 2022

IDEA Team One Year Celebration at Field Operations on Oct. 13, 2022. Our committees are meeting monthly and looking for membership! To get involved, please contact Neil Norris in HR (x 2957)

EMPLOYEE HIGHLIGHTS

Thank you Customer Service for helping our customers!

Faces of Customer Service

Jada dressed in her Halloween finest!

I chose to work for the Water Authority because I wanted to make a difference in the world in some way, even if it's a small contribution. Helping others is the most rewarding part of my job.

Even if we can’t offer financial assistance, we can share resources we have to help empower others.

I chose to work for the Water Authority

I strive to be the best so that I can

because I was very impressed with the presence this company has in the community

provide good customer service. The most rewarding part of my job is the

and the strong commitment to their employees.

I enjoy helping people and problem solving. Our team is often the first

satisfaction I get knowing that when I hang up with a customer I gave them

contact for our customers and has to have so much knowledge of our industry and our

the best. I've worked here for 12 years, retired and came back because it’s a good company and the

company in order to best service our customers. They are a great group of people!

management team understands and is always willing to help.

Jada Pickens

Kathleen Johnson

Customer Service Representative

Call Center Manager

Best Wishes on a Happy Retirement!

Sharon Bowman Accounting Coordinator 8-years of service

Mike Altizer Fleet & Student Apprenticeship Coordinator 13-years of service

NOVEMBER 2022

Kathy Spradlin Customer Service Representative

Thank You to Our Veterans

Veteran's Day: Nov. 11, 2022 On Veteran's Day we remember all of the women and men who have served our country but especially those Veterans we work with each day. On behalf of your grateful co-workers, thank you for your patriotism, bravery and sacrifice.

Mike McEvoy Executive Director Photos from Top: Scott Agner (Army), Jon Maples (Navy), Ragena Jordan (Army), Justin Fulcher (Air Force, Current National Guard)