Category Archives: How Things Work

Behind the Scenes, How Things Work

Charlotte Water Advisory Committee

How was the Advisory Committee created?

The Advisory Committee was formed in June 1991. The agreement that formed the group was signed by Mayor Sue Myrick and Board of County Commissioners Chairperson T. Rodney Autrey. ​

The agreement requires that three members will be appointed by the County Commission, three by City Council and one by the Charlotte city mayor. With the exception of the town representative, the members of the Committee must be actively involved in one of the following categories: real estate developer, water and/or sewer contractor, civil engineer specializing in water/sewer construction, financial expert and neighborhood leader. This composition of skill sets was suggested by a 13-member citizen committee that reviewed Utilities policies from April to November 1990, which recommended the five-member Community Facilities Committee be transitioned to seven members with these characteristics. 

When are the Advisory Committee meetings?

Advisory Committee Meetings are typically on the third Thursday of each month between 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. at our One Water Facility located at 4100 W. Tyvola Road.

What are the Advisory Committee duties?

To review and make recommendations on the following: all capital improvement programs for water and sewer facilities and changes to such programs; proposed changes in the method for determining water and sewer charges; proposed changes in policy for extending water and sewer services. 

What are the Advisory Commitee memeber’s time requirements?

Members commit approximately 1.5 hours per month. Members are appointed to three-year terms and may be appointed to one additional term to coincide right after the first term.

Who appoints the Advisory Committee?

There are seven members (one appointed by Mayor of Charlotte; three by Charlotte City Council; three by Mecklenburg County Commissioners).​

Who is on the Advisory Committee?

William Cornett is the Chairperson and Gordon Miller is the Vice Chairman.  

Other members are:

  • Barbara Bleiweis
  • Dan Melvin
  • David Harris
  • Robert Stewart

How do I apply for Advisory Committee?

Applications for City Boards and Commissions are available here.

Advisory Meeting Minutes

October 2024

May 2024

April 2024

March 2024

February 2024

January 2024

Behind the Scenes, How Things Work

Apprenticeship Program Field Operations Boot Camp

Charlotte Water created the City of Charlotte’s first water/wastewater industry apprenticeship program to increase jobs, training, and opportunities for individuals with multiple ​​employment barriers. The apprenticeship program is custom-designed to help individuals achieve the training and experience needed for a successful career at Charlotte Water.

Our second cohort of nine apprentices started in July. After going through orientation and some soft skills training, they are assigned an area to work, either in wastewater or field operations. This entire cohort was assigned to the field operations division. Field operations is our largest division, and the staff is in charge of maintaining the water and wastewater distribution system. Duties include main extensions, leak repairs, sanitary sewer overflow response and cleanup, wastewater pipe cleaning, maintenance of water monitoring stations, and much more.

Before the apprentices get assigned to a zone and a crew, they must go through a seven-week field operations boot camp where they learn how to do the job efficiently and safely.

Below are some photos taken by some the apprentices during boot camp.

Apprentices learn how to properly install a trench box during a pipe repair.
Apprentice Chevorne Lewis learns how to use a jackhammer to break concrete

Apprentices go through a water main leak simulation.
A tamping machine is a tough machine to handle and requires strength and focus.
Various items that apprentices need to know how to use for a repair or install.
Theirry Capongo experiences what 919 gallons per minute feels like from a flushing hydrant

The great thing about the apprenticeship program is that it doesn’t just benefit the apprentices, it also benefits current staff members. It provides them with additional leadership opportunities as apprentice mentors and trainers. In most cases these staff have then been promoted to new positions afterwards.

Group shot with Charlotte Water field operations crew member and trainer Jontavious Thompson.

You can learn more about the program and how to apply on our website.

Behind the Scenes, How Things Work

5 Things You Can Talk About Over Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving means quality time with family and friends, and for some that can cause a great deal of anxiety. Politics, religion, your cousin’s newest face tattoo, these are all topics that are off limits. So what do you talk about? Don’t worry, Charlotte Water is here with 5 Charlotte themed conversation starters that won’t rock the boat.

  1. Did you know that the City of Charlotte is turning 250 years old?
  2. Did you know that 44% of sanitary sewer overflows are caused by grease from homes and restaurants?
  3. Ninety years ago, the location of our Sugar Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant was chosen because it was outside of the city limits. Since then the city has grown so much and the plant is now located in the heart of South Park.
  4. Tricycles, buckets, scrap wood, rings, goldfish, aprons and flushable wipes all have what in common? They have all been found in our sewer pipes in Mecklenburg County. Please note that NONE of these things belong there.
  5. Before municipal wastewater treatment plants, communities like Charlotte used to allow homes and business to pipe waste directly into lakes and rivers.

We hope this helps and you have a wonderful stress free holiday!

Behind the Scenes, How Things Work

Hurricane Preparedness from Charlotte Water’s perspective

In advance of Hurricane Florence barreling down on the Carolinas, we have received many questions about Charlotte Water’s system in the event of a major storm.

Our advice: be prepared, but not worried.

Charlotte Water has built redundancies into every aspect of our systems. We have backups for backups. Even in the event that power goes down at a treatment plant, Charlotte Water has a plan. We have high capacity generators, relationships with Duke Energy for support and contracts in place for any resources, like additional fuel, that we may need. Our distribution system has a robust back-up system to make sure water flows to your home, even in major storm events water outages are rare and often localized.  Something to keep in mind toilets will also continue to function normally and do not require electric power to operate.

But like Charlotte Water, the community should also be prepared. That means, putting together a family preparedness kit. If the event takes days to recover or if residents live in an area serviced by a pipe that breaks, make sure you have water on hand. Some tips we’ve heard from others in the community:

  • “Fill your bathtub with water for flushing.”
  • “Fill gallon zip lock bags with water and freeze. This, not only keeps food cold if the power is out, but also gives you a water source.”
  • “Fill up those reusable water bottles!”

Did you know $1 buys you 247 gallons from Charlotte Water? Take time now before the storm to get ready. We at Charlotte Water will be prepared too!

BTW: The water service to your home is independent of your electric service, so a loss of power shouldn’t result in a loss of water.

Stay tuned to the City’s communication channels to stay up to date. And, please remember to use 311 to report outages or water main breaks; you can also request service this way. Use 911 for emergencies only.