Crime and power grid define 2022 and beyond
Crime and the city’s power grid were among the major issues and stories of 2022 as discussed on a “Behind The Headlines” reporters roundtable.
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Crime and the city’s power grid were among the major issues and stories of 2022 as discussed on a “Behind The Headlines” reporters roundtable.
A week after single-digit temperatures descended on Memphis — wreaking havoc on the city’s power supplier and creating a water distribution crisis — Memphis Light, Gas and Water shared plans to address its shortcomings.
“I have not forgotten last February’s ice storm where many of us were without power, including me for 8 days,” says letter writer Karen Morrison.
“During the storm, we used text alerts to communicate to 86,940 of our customers,” an MLGW press release said.
While these areas might bear the brunt of that area’s aging infrastructure, it’s not limited to them. Related story:
For some areas of southeast and north Shelby County, the advisory lasted six days as MLGW crews dealt with at least 36 water main breaks.
While normal water pressure and availability should be restored, Memphians can expect to remain under the city’s boil-water advisory for at least another day or two.
When winter weather approaches, roads are treated with a less finely ground version of sodium chloride called rock salt to lower the freezing point, which facilitates ice melting and prevents water from freezing.
Water boils are inconvenient at home but a crisis for restaurants; it’s time to address our aging infrastructure and fix this mess. Meanwhile, sip on some hot buttered rum and welcome in 2023.
“Infrastructure issues in Memphis are a big, expensive problem. However, even though it’s just a band-aid, developing a more effective communication system is a small step that MLGW can take to ensure customers are informed and safe.”
Many businesses are operational now that water pressure has returned to restrooms and other facilities.
Under its drought management plan, MLGW prohibited non-essential water use, including car washes, but rolled back that mandate on Wednesday, Dec. 28. Related stories:
Many businesses are operational now that water pressure has returned to restrooms and other facilities.
“Tennessee is in a sound financial position and can afford to provide critical funding to Memphis to repair and replace our aging water infrastructure,” said state Rep. John Gillespie.
With the city still dealing with the aftermath of weather-related issues, Memphis is scheduled to play the Suns on Tuesday night at FedExForum.
MLGW President Doug McGowen said it could take “a few days” to get the leaks fixed and the system stabilized. From there, it could take “a couple of days” to sample the water and lift the advisory.
Memphis Light, Gas & Water has issued a boil water advisory for parts of Southeast Memphis, Germantown and Millington. And, after the TVA issued a Step 50 curtailment Saturday morning, MLGW began rolling blackouts with areas north of Downtown, near the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library and North Germantown.
Tennessee Valley Authority enacted mandatory rolling blackouts among its 153 local power companies on Friday morning. The historic decision came as TVA saw a record power demand.
MLGW is asking customers to reduce “non-essential” water use as it tries to restore the utility’s water system. Earlier, MLGW said it could be four to five days before the water system is fully restored.
MLGW is asking that office employees work from home on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week in order to reduce water use in office buildings and continues to ask that “non-essential” water use be curtailed.
The boil water advisory remains in place even as MLGW has fixed 19 of 22 water main breaks. “What you’ll hear from our crews is that we are finding leaks everywhere now,” MLGW President Doug McGowen said.
As a result, MLGW is offering bottled water starting Monday, Dec. 26, and accepting donations of unopened cases of bottled water.
As of 9:15 p.m. Saturday, MLGW knew of five water main breaks. All customers are urged to use boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice.
Multiple line breaks and production issues have resulted in a significant loss of water pressure, which can allow disease-causing microbes into the water system.