There are 494 article(s) tagged MLGW:
An industry group estimates there are 250,000 to 300,000 water main breaks in the U.S. every year — generating an estimated loss of 6 billion gallons of treated drinking water across the country.
“I think the myth of TVA’s invincibility has been shown here, and I think we need to remember that as we try to figure out where we’re going to go as a system,” Memphis City Council member Jeff Warren said. Millions of gallons of water flooded empty buildings during extreme winter weatherRelated story:
MLGW president and CEO Doug McGowen said Tuesday that the utility had to double the amount of water it pumped from the Memphis Aquifer because of fire protection systems and water mains breaking.
Once again, state dollars didn’t flow to Shelby County. But this time it wasn’t an example of the state disinvesting in Memphis. MLGW says it can complete all the needed infrastructure upgrades with the funding it already has.
During Tuesday city council committee sessions, officials are expected to have more to say about MLGW’s five-year, $1.2 billion infrastructure upgrade that is now expected to be completed by 2027, two years later than the original 2025 target date.
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.