Tag Archives: planning

Behind the Scenes, Employee Spotlights

Meet Tariq: A Planning Department Intern

This summer, Charlotte Water’s internship program continues introducing talented and motivated students to the world of public service. Today, I talked with Tariq Harris, a Planning Department intern passionate about engineering and real-world problem solving. We explored his impactful work and what he’s taken away from his time here so far.

Q1: What school do you go to and what do you study?

Tariq is studying engineering at North Carolina A&T University and is about to enter his senior year. “My favorite thing about my school is the community and how there is support from far away and close by”, he shares. Tariq has also attended UNC Charlotte and Central Piedmont Community College for a summer semester.

Tariq sitting at his desk in the office doing work on his computer
Tariq’s workspace in the office
Q2: What inspired you to apply to Charlotte Water?

“I wanted more experience for what I do in school, and Charlotte Water seemed to provide that,” he tells us. Currently interning in the Planning department, he felt that Charlotte Water offered the perfect opportunity to deepen his understanding of the industry. His previous internship with LUESA (Land Use and Environmental Service Agency) gave him a strong foundation, where he took water samples from the Foxhole Compost site and conducted water quality testing. “While I was at a recycling center,” he recalled, “I saw an explosion from a battery that was disposed of,” giving him a unique and unexpected glimpse into the realities of fieldwork.

Q3: What kind of projects have you worked on during your internship?

“So far, I’ve been working on collecting data maps and capacity maps, talking with consultants, and putting them on a map in GIS”. He talks about the importance of this data and mapping, as it allows them to know where they need pipes and what size is needed for future developments.

Tariq and other interns looking out towards the stream at the Lakewood Stream Restoration Tour
Tariq and other interns at the Lakewood Stream Restoration Tour
Q4: How do you see this internship helping you in your future career?

“The experience will help narrow down what field I want to enter after college,” Tariq explained. He mentioned that his communication style is changing and improving, stating, “I feel like I’m now more open to different communication styles with people inside and outside the workplace, allowing me to get out of my comfort zone.”

From analyzing and collecting map data to unexpected field explosions, Tariq has seen a lot, and he’s just getting started. His commitment to his studies and personal growth makes him a standout intern, and as always, we can’t wait to see where his journey will take him!

Behind the Scenes, Employee Spotlights

Charlotte Water Employee Spotlight: Tommy Wendelgass

Security Team Members: Vic Simpson, Tommy Wendelgass, and Sean Price.

As many of us know, even during times of crisis the show must go on. Being that we provide a vital service to our community, we are thankful to have members of our staff who are looking out for us behind the scenes to make sure that our operations and central functions can continue to run smoothly, even in the midst of a pandemic.

Our Security Team

This week, Emergency Planner, Tommy Wendelgass shared some of his important work over the past several months. As a member of our security team, Tommy has been working at our Emergency Operations Center since the pandemic began, and has worked closely with our Incident Command team. The focus of his role has been to ensure that the Incident Command maintains its structure and runs smoothly. Another large part of Tommy’s role is also to make sure that we have plans in place in case of an emergency, and that we make sure those plans stay up-to-date and relevant.

Over the past several months, Tommy has been working to update our three main preparedness plans – the Emergency Operations Plan, the Continuity of Operations Plan, and the Site Emergency Action Plans. Each of these plans is designed to prepare our utility to still function and operate during an emergency. Tommy shared about the importance and functionality of each of these different emergency plans.

Emergency Operations Plan

This plan establishes a departmental framework that enables a systematic, coordinated, and effective response to emergencies and disasters that may impact our system. This plan utilizes an all-hazards approach and incorporates the national preparedness guidance as outlined in Presidential Policy Directive 8, and is consistent with the National Incident Management System.

Continuity of Operations Plan

This plan was updated under guidance from the City of Charlotte Risk Management Department. The COOP establishes procedures to maintain continuity of operations and documents necessary actions and responsibilities for continuing mission essential functions whenever Charlotte Water leadership becomes incapacitated or whenever facilities/operations become inoperable. 

Site Emergency Action Plans

Charlotte Water has developed Site Emergency Action Plans (EAP) at the Laboratory, Administration, and Zone Operation Facilities. The purpose of the EAP is to facilitate and organize employer and employee actions during workplace emergencies. Emergency plans and proper employee training (such that employees understand their roles and responsibilities within the plan) will result in fewer and less severe employee injuries and less structural damage to the facility during emergencies.

Mutual Aid Network

Another important aspect of Tommy and the security team’s work, is working with the mutual aid network known as the North Carolina Water and Wastewater Agency Response Network (NCWaterWARN).

This network is a collective of utilities throughout North Carolina that are committed to helping each other conduct emergency response and recovery operations. WARN provides a system of aid that may be utilized by water and wastewater utilities requiring emergency assistance from member utilities. Charlotte Water can utilize WARN by requesting personnel, emergency equipment, materials and other required resources. If a natural, man-made, or technological event were to cause a significant staffing/operation loss, Charlotte Water could mitigate the threat, and continue mission essential functions, by utilizing NCWaterWARN. Our Deputy Director, Shawn Coffman is the current chair of NCWaterWARN.

In addition, if there are vulnerabilities during an emergency that WARN cannot fulfill, we can utilize the County Emergency Management resources as well as the State Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

Comfort During Uncertain Times

During these uncertain times, it is critical and also very reassuring to have these stable security measures and emergency preparedness procedures in place. We are thankful for the work of Tommy and our security team for working hard each day to make sure these procedures are effective and up to date, so that we can be prepared for anything that comes or way.