Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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6 UCW AUGUST 16 - 22, 2023 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM PWC workers recognized with inaugural Wastewater Professional Day a STAFF REPORT e Fayetteville Public Works Commission recognized over 200 PWC employees Aug. 9 for their hard work and dedication as the front line of environmental defense during PWC's inaugural Wastewater Professional's Day. "Our employees are the heart of Fayetteville PWC," said Ronna Rowe Garrett, PWC Chair. "Wastewater professionals work hard, are passionate and commit- ted in the critical work they do, and we are proud to recognize their efforts. I am grateful for their contributions, day in and day out. eir conscientious regulation and operation of our treatment facilities and collection systems help prevent contamination and other avoidable incidents that could threaten the health and well-being of Fayetteville, Cumberland County residents and our waterways." PWC's Water Resources division is responsible for ensuring sewer mains flow freely and wastewater is properly treated before being returned to the Cape Fear River. ere are 209 PWC wastewater professionals who work around the clock at PWC and dedicate their careers to keeping treated wastewater clean and free of sub- stances harmful to both humans and the environment. PWC maintains more than 1,300 miles of sewer mains, 78 sanitary sewer lift stations over 32 thou- sand Sanitary Sewer Manholes. PWC's two water reclamation facilities treat more than nine billion gallons of wastewater a year and return it to the Cape Fear River cleaner than what we take in for drinking water. "Our wastewater workers are dedicated professionals work- ing in our treatment facilities, the lab, or out in the field. ey work around the clock to protect the ecological health of Fayetteville's waterways, including the Cape Fear River," said Misty Manning, interim Chief Operations Officer for PWC's Water Resources Divi- sion. "From being called out in the middle of the night to work in undesirable conditions clearing sewer mains clogged by grease and wipes, to working around the clock restoring essential services during and after storms, they protect our environment and PWC customers from the effects of main breaks and sanitary sewer overflows." PWC's Wastewater Profes- sional's Day is the first-known appreciation day in the Wastewa- ter Industry and will be observed at PWC the second Wednesday of August in the years ahead. NEWS Over 200 PWC employees (some pictured above) are involved with wastewater operations and are the front line of environmental defense. ey are dedicated to keeping treated wastewater clean and free of substances harmful to both humans and the environment. (Photo courtesy PWC) Cleaning and maintaining 1,300+ miles of sewer mains is an essential part of wastewater opera- tions. James Tipton (pictured above) is a 26-year PWC employee and member of one of seven crews who clean and inspect lines on the PWC wastewater collections system. (Photo courtesy PWC)