BY EVEY WEISBLAT | CityView Staff
Fayetteville’s Public Works Commission met Wednesday to hear presentations about the public utility’s water and sewer infrastructure rehabilitation efforts and in-house professional development programs.
Here’s what commission members addressed:
Infrastructure rehabilitation
- What happened: John Cashwell, a water engineer with PWC, said 32% of PWC’s water and sewer infrastructure — including water and sanitary sewer mains, pipes and manholes — is at least 45 years old. The utility’s rehabilitation budget has increased since the last report in 2018, from approximately $18 million to $21 million. During fiscal year 2023, the utility replaced 1.2% of its infrastructure 45 years or older, which Cashwell said is standard for a utility. He noted PWC’s rehabilitation program, which consists of replacing and refurbishing old infrastructure, is on track with no major or unexpected variations.
- Why it matters: The rehabilitation program began in 2004 and has been a “cost-effective way to maintain PWC system integrity,” Cashwell said. Another PWC staffer commented after the presentation that water and sewer utilities are facing increasing pressure to address crumbling infrastructure, which is often deferred because of limited resources and the need to prioritize more urgent issues. Despite the high cost of infrastructure repairs, he said utilities have little choice but to address these issues to avoid regulatory fines, overflows and potential health hazards; by proactively addressing critical infrastructure issues, the utility can avoid more costly repairs in the future and ensure the continued reliability of their systems.
Training and educational programs
- What happened: Olivia Hall, the organizational development and training manager, said PWC launched several successful professional development programs since 2021. She said the programs have been successful in increasing upward mobility opportunities for staff within the company and PWC is expanding its optional employee education and training programs.
- Why it matters: The development programs are aimed at addressing staff retention issues by enhancing career advancement opportunities for employees and opening up pathways for promotions within the company, Hall said. Employees who take part in one of the career advancement programs must sign contracts to stay with the company for two years after completing the program, which Hall said helps ensure staff retention.
The next PWC meeting is at 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 22. Meetings take place at the PWC offices at 955 Old Wilmington Rd. and are streamed online on the PWC website.
Contact Evey Weisblat at eweisblat@cityviewnc.com or 216-527-3608.
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