BWWB_SPRING16Newsletter

SPRING ISSUE 2016
BIRMINGHAM
WATER WORKS
NEW &
IMPROVED
Employee
Newsletter
HEADLINE:
Gearing up for ACE16
DRINKING
WATER WEEK
2016 pg.7
CCR
Luncheon
pg.4
BWWB
EMPLOYEE OF
THE MONTH
pg.2
WATER WORKS FOR
THE COMMUNITY
pg.6
PRACTICE
SAFTEY DAILY
pg.7
ALSO IN
THIS ISSUE:

WATER WORKS FOR
THE COMMUNITY
H2O Foundation kicks-off
annual campaign
In an effort to reach out into the community
and help customers, the Birmingham Water
Works (BWW) has kicked off its annual
Employee Payroll Deduction Campaign for
2016 - 2017. The BWW is asking each
employee to make a payroll deduction, or a
onetime donation, to the Help 2 Others (H2O)
Foundation for a worthy cause.
CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP
AND BILLING ON THE
RIGHT TRACK
SAP Phase 2 update
"No matter how big or little you give it will
tremendously help our customers as they
continue to let us be their water providers,” said
H2O Foundation Coordinator Joyce Jordan.
The campaign began on June 6 and will
continue through June 17. The H2O Foundation
was established in 2003 to assist customers
with paying their water bills, as well as
plumbing repair costs. 2
-
Board of Directors
Ronald A. Mims
Chairman/President
Kevin B. McKie, Esq.
First Vice-Chairman/ Vice President
Ann D. Florie
Second Vice-Chairman/ Vice President
Dr. George Munchus
Secretary-Treasurer
Sherry W. Lewis
Assistant Secretary-Treasurer
Executive Staff
Mac Underwood
General Manager
Darryl R. Jones, P.E.
Assistant General Manager
Operations and Technical Services
T.M. “Sonny” Jones IV, P.E.
Assistant General Manager
Engineering and Maintenance
Michael Johnson, CPA
Assistant General Manager
Finance and Administration
Dorian Kendrick,
Lewis & Company
Editor
BreAndrea Rudolph,
Lewis & Company
Creative Director
The Birmingham Water Work (BWW) has decided to move forward
with its Realization Phase of the Customer Relationship and Billing
(CR&B) project. The purpose of the Realization Phase is to build and
test the complete business and system environment, develop
training materials and end-user documentation, in addition to
obtaining business sign-offs. The graph below depicts the BWW's
movement along the roadmap as progress is being made through
the Realization Phase, approaching final prep.
"The entire BWW Team is working very hard to meet the various
deadlines in conjunction with daily responsibilities,” said Business
Systems/Transformation Manager Barry Williams.
The document below shows a high-level time chart of planned
activities as progress is being moved through the Realization Phase
and beyond.
"BWW will continue to have great representation from all departments,”
said Williams.
As the team moves closer to Go-Live, like with all projects, higher
stress levels are anticipated. Therefore, thank you everyone in
advance for your patience and understanding.
“We look forward with great anticipation and excitement as work
on the CR&B project continues,” said Williams.
2

DRINKING WATER WEEK 2016
Customers learn the value of water.
-
Willie Waterdrop greeting customers in the Call Center.
In an effort to draw awareness to drinking
water and healthy living, the Birmingham
Water Works (BWW) joined forces with the
American Water Works Association (AWWA)
to campaign Drinking Water Week (DWW).
For more than 35 years the AWWA and its
members have celebrated DWW – a time
where both water professionals and the
communities they serve join together in
recognizing the vital role water plays in our
daily lives.
"Celebrating Drinking Water Week is an
easy way to educate the public, connect
Students gather to create slime during the school program’s award ceremony held at Regions Field.
with the community and promote employee
morale,” said Executive Assistant Anitra
Hendrix. "Too often, water utilities receive
publicity only when something bad happens
- a water main breaks in the middle of rush
hour or you have to raise your rates, again.
Drinking Water Week celebrations allow an
opportunity for positive communication."
Throughout the week customers participated
in the BWW’s Fruit Infusion Challenge,
where they posted selfies drinking water and
fruit-infused recipes to Facebook. DWW also
served as the perfect time to educate children
about their water supply in an atmosphere
of fun. With this in mind, the BWW closed
the week with its annual community
outreach program - Learning the Wonderful
Works of Water Award Ceremony. Students
from Gardendale, Lipscomb and C.J.
Donald Elementary Schools shared what
they learned and love about water during the
poster contest award ceremony held at
Regions Field. Students learned how the
BWW provides clean, safe drinking water for
the public. 2
Practice Safety Daily
Safety isn’t just about preventing falls and slips, or labeling hazardous
materials. The core objective of safety is to protect a company’s most
valuable resource: its employees.
“My goal is to ensure that employees arrive home safely just like they
left – uninjured,” said Cortez Tolbert, BWWB Safety Officer. “Safety
First on our t-shirt sleeves promotes safety awareness and sends the
message to employees and the public that Birmingham Water Works is
serious about
safety.”
When employees have to deal with situations – coworkers
being injured – they become distracted.Distractions lead to a
loss in productivity and poor work quality. Too often these
distractions lead to other workplace accidents, said Tolbert.
Workers thrive, however, in safe, healthy environments and
that is the ultimate goal of the BWWB’s safety program.
“We’re serious about safety and have no problem wearing
our feelings on our sleeve,” said Tolbert.
3

Surrounding water utilities attended the luncheon to gather first-hand knowledge of set rules and regulations.
BWWB HOSTS ANNUAL CCR LUNCHEON
Water Issues, Lead Contamination and More Discussed
The Birmingham Water Works (BWW) 2016
Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)
Luncheon was held at the Anthony L. Barnes
Conference Center, with Industrial and
Commercial Account Superintendent Johnnie
Mayfield serving as the coordinator of the
event.
JUST ADD WATER
Improve the quality of your life.
Annual Water Quality Report 2016
BIRMINGHAM
WATER WORKS
2016 CCR.
The BWW collaborated with the Alabama
Department of Environmental Management
(ADEM) and surrounding water utilities to
discuss what is happening in the water
industry. Attendees were able to ask questions
and receive updates over new technology and
information from regulatory agencies. The
luncheon covered environmental management
updates, in addition to the new lead and
copper rules and regulations.
The luncheon’s guest speakers included
Tom Littlepage from the Montgomery
Office of Water Resources, as well as
Dennis Harrison, Laura Taylor and
William McClimans of ADEM. Littlepage
spoke about water concerns for future
water intakes in the state of Alabama, while
Harrison and Taylor discussed the lead and
copper inventory regulation.
Furthermore, Assistant General Manager,
Darryl Jones provided brief updates on the
changing lead issues. As lead and copper
matters continue to be placed on the
forefront of people’s minds in the U.S.,
BWW has remained active in testing its
source water, as well as finished water, for
any lead contamination.
Mayfield said he hopes those in attendance
gained a better perspective on the new lead
regulation, which was released May 31st.
BWW General Manager Mac Underwood
recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to
meet with the enviormental protection
angency (EPA) regarding this topic. 2
-
Assistant General Manager - Operations and Technical Services
Darryl Jones speaks to attendees at the annual luncheon.
4

GEARING UP FOR ACE16
Top Ops and Tapping Teams prepare for annual competition
Tap, tap, tap, tap, SPLOOSH! Water comes
rushing out of the pipe, only to be rerouted
into hollow copper tubes attached to a faucet.
“TIME,” the coach calls after the Tapping
Team finishes. As easy as this sounds, it takes
speed, precision and solid teamwork to tap into
a water pipeline and route it to a faucet without
leaks – all in a minute and twelve seconds, one
of their slower runs.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with the
men’s Tapping Team members Lakell
Freeman, Todd Stewart, Johnny Bittles, Jerry
Storey and coach Trey Finch. When first asked
how important teamwork is in the competition,
the response was, there is no possible way to
compete without a cohesive team ready for
action. The men described the competition as
very intense and said their favorite part, other
than the competition itself of course, the
camaraderie and the different people they are
able to meet. The group even has contacts they
still keep in touch with from competing over
the years.
The competition is set in Chicago this year at
the McCormick Place Convention Center from
June 19 - 22. Competitors will arrive for a meet
and greet event on the eve of the American
Water Works Association's (AWWA's) 2016
Annual Conference & Exposition (ACE 16) –
the only event that covers every segment of the
water business.
Birmingham Water Works (BWW) is looking to
meet its rivals from the Mexico teams who have
won the National Competition for the last two
years. Over their career, the BWW Men’s
Tapping Team have consecutively made it to
the finals for 22 years, in addition to treading
-
a path to win the World Cup six times!
“We wish them luck during these final weeks
before the ACE16 competition,” said Finch.
ACE 16 provides an environment where water
professionals can lead and learn from leaders in
the water industry, in addition to providing
solutions to water sector challenges that address
the full spectrum of the issue. Topics range
from research and planning, to treatment and
management.
The annual event will showcase a wide range
of products and services related to water
sectors from leading exhibitors, such as
Men’s Tapping Team members preparing to compete with other water systems areound the US.
distribution system analysis & equipment,
conservation, GIS, certification, pumps,
groundwater, meters, flow meter, water supply,
wastewater, treatment, equipment, leak,
backflow prevention, pipe equipment, safety
equipment, valves, gates, instrumentation,
chemical equipment, construction equipment,
modeling, software, management, consultant,
monitoring equipment and corrosion. There
will be more than 500 exhibitors in attendance,
in addition to more than 11,500 visitors. 3
The following teams will compete from the
Birmingham Water Works:
Ladies Tapping Team
BAMA Bells
April Nabors - Feeder
Jacqueline Ingram- Puller
Frerica Smith- Copper
Timothy Harris- Coach
Men’s
Tapping Team
Johnny Bittles - Feeder
Lorenzo Clay- Puller
Paul Bethune- Copper
Mark Kirkland- Coach
Top Ops Team
Main Stream Team
Tina Webb- Coach
Donald Temptation- Competitor
Jordan Mitchell- Competitor
LMen’s
Tapping Team
Johnny Bittles- Feeder
Jerry Storey– Puller
Todd Stewart– Copper
Lakell Freeman– Assistant
Trey Finch- Coach
Scott Gormley
Ronald Brock
Derrick Stephens
Bill Shikle- Coach
5

Water Works
Staff Updates
Retirees:
December:
Lila Baldwin, Call Center
Terry Clark, Cahaba Pump Station
James Conner, Leak Utility I
Roger Davis, Meter Reading
Bill Guier, SCADA
Ellan Hawkins, Call Center
Jesse Inman, IT Programming
Arrie James, Leak Utility I
Melvin Jefferson, Accounting
Shirley Lyles, Payment Center
Cary Prather, Environmental Services
Billy Rhodes, SCADA
Howard Russell, Field Services
Greg Singleton, IT
Alfred Watson, Transportation
Everett Wesley, Utility Worker I
January:
William Guier,Scada System Analyst,
Gregory Singleton, Business Systems.
Alfred Watson, Sr. -
Automotive Technician
Feburary:
Tony Blankenship, Accountant II,
Paul Phillips, Distribution,
March:
Jesse Inman, Business Systems Arch.,
Billy Rhodes, Technician -
Communication
April:
Ellan Hawkins, Supt. Call Center
May:
Michael Skinner - Residual Pant
Operator I
New Hires:
December:
Johnathan Crawford, Operator I
Danny Cunningham, Operator I
Carl Daniels, Leak Utility I
Evan Epperson, Maintenance - Pu
Eric Foster, Sr. Automotive Technician
Christopher Green, Leak Utility I
Darnell Hubbard, Leak Utility I
Terry King, PMW Trainee
Randell Miller, Leak Utility I
Rosalyn Newby, Call Center Rep. III
Reginald Perry Sr., Maintenance - Di
Demetric Price, Meter Reader I
Derrick Vincent, Maintenance - Di
January:
Timothy Woods, Maintenance-Di
Christopher Bedgood, Maintenance-Di
Marcus Hunter, Supt. Payment Center
Feburary:
Danny Cunningham, Operator I
Eric Foster, Sr. Automotive Technician
Derrick Vincent, Maintenance- Di
March
Evan Epperson, Maintenance - Pu
Christopher Green, Leak Utility I
Darnell Hubbard, Leak Utility I
Terry King, PMW Trainee
Randell Miller, Leak Utility I
Reginald Perry Sr., Maintenance - Di
Carl Daniels - Leak Utility I
James Hollingsworth, PMW Trainee
April:
Gergen Farness, PT Building/ Maintenance
Patricia Jones, Security Guard Part Time
James Conner, Leak Utility I
Promotion:
December:
Patrick Dillard, Operation I Trainee
Peter Del-Re, Operation I Trainee
Rashaun Gibson, Operation I Trainee
David Goodwin, Utility Worker I
LaVanual Henderson, Utility Worker I
Franklin Kennedy, PMW Trainee
A'Khi King, Operation I Trainee
Christopher Landrum, GIS Tech.
Dusty Murphy, Maintenance Mechanic I
Latasia Sanford, Human Resource Business
Joseph Stanford, Operator Pump Station
Emmett Terry, Clerical Assistant
Nelda Thompkins, Bld Attnt/ Messenger
Cornelious Tolbert, Utility Worker
Anton Whitt, Leak Utility II
Tony Williams, Utility Worker II
January:
Doney Childrey, Water Accountability Tech
William Gunn, Water Accountability Tech
Jerome Little, Jr.,Water Accountability Tech
Charles Foster, Utility Worker II
Olivia Leonard, Distribution Specialist I
Febuary:
Robert Box, Meter Setter I
Paul Chatta, Maintenance Mechanic II
LaVanual Henderson, Utility Worker I
Franklin Kennedy, PMW Trainee
Josep Stanford, Operator- Pump Station
Anton Whitt, Leak Utility II
Tony Williams, Utility Worker
March:
Darren Blout, Water Quality Technician
Kenneth Finch III, Scada System Analyst
Derek Robinson, Superintendent- Service
Emmett Terry, Clenical Assistant
Austin Trammell, Inspector- Construction
Charles Childress, Water Accountability Tech
Geraldine Davis, Supt. Call Center
Marsha Hammonds, IT Sys. Support Supervisor
Ronald Mallette, Inspector- Construction
Tamera Rembert, Call Center Rep. III
Austin Trammell, Inspector- Construction
April
Billy Gulledge, Inspector- Revenue Meter
Justin Kirkland, Backflow Inspector
Frank Phillips, Watershed Protection Spec
Patrick Dillard, Operator I Trainee
Dusty Murphy, Maintenance Mechanic I

BIRMINGHAM WATER WORK’S
Employee of the Month
December:
January:
Jonathan Malloy and April Nabors were nominated by the
Training and Organizational Development
Security Dept. front row: Franklin “Seth” Kennedy, Kevin
Miller, Scott Starkey, Ingra McCurdy, Christopher Hill,
Philip Henson, Terrell Jones, Priscilla Lowry (Not
pictured),Back Row, Charles Childress,Timothy Payne,
Jimmy Bonner
Jesse Inman
Febuary:
March:
Brent Zeanah
Training Team: Morgan Dill, Cortez Tolbert,Marilyn
Vertison, Rhonda Lewis, Meridith Hollins, & Derrick
Gooden
Jerome Little, Willie Lee, Doney Childrey, & Jeremiah Polk
April:
May:
Ricky Williams
Engineering and Maintenance Division: Charles Foster- (Utility
Worker II), Eric Garrick - (Utility Worker I), LaVanual Henderson
- (Utility Worker I), John Jackson - (Field Supervisor), Price
Lanier - (Distribution Maintenance Worker), Terrance Peck -
(Distribution Maintenance Worker), Reginald Perry - (Distribution
Maintenance Worker), John Roper, Sr. - (Utility Worker)

BIRMINGHAM
WATER WORKS
Footnotes: 1 Wire Reports; 2 Staff Reports; 3 Chris Ruffin Jr. & John Pitts
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