Author: heronco
2019 Outage Report Shows Off Electric System Reliability
Hartselle Utilities provides approximately 8,760 hours of electricity in 2019 to Hartselle residents. Throughout the year, there were 44 outages with a combined total of 34.5 hours of outages, according Hartselle Utilities General Manager Bob Sittason.
Mention a power outage, and most residents will think back to major storms that caused memorable power outages. But last year, there were only 10 weather-related power outages.
The number one cause of outages? Animals, typically squirrels, raccoons, possums and birds. Of the 44 outages last year, 23 of them were caused by animals.
Equipment failures caused five outages, trees caused two, and the final two were either miscellaneous or unknown.
Last year’s 44 outages were a significant drop from 71 in 2018, and 86 in 2017. However, cautions Sittason, while the utility does everything it can to prevent power outages with preventative maintenance, it’s not yet time to pat themselves on the back.
“We control what we can,” Sittason says. “Otherwise, we’re at the mercy of nature.”
Eww, Gross! Prevent Costly & Hazardous Sewer Backups
No one wants to think about sewage backups, but if sewage is entering your home, the sooner it’s fixed, the better off you’ll be. Water of any kind flooding into your home will cause damage, but sewage can be much worse, causing both structural problems and posing a health risk to you and your family.
Hartselle Utilities is often the first call a homeowner will make for a suspected sewage problem. If the problem happens on our portion of the lines, Hartselle Utilities is responsible for fixing the problem. However, if the problem happens between the connection point and your house, or inside your home, that’s the homeowner’s responsibility. (Fortunately, damage caused by sewage backups is generally covered by homeowners insurance.)
How do you know the difference between a clogged toilet and a sewer line problem? Sewage backups typically show first in the lowest drains in your home. Unless you have a half-bath in your basement or first floor with no other drains on that level, typically your ‘lowest drain’ is not going to be a toilet. So if you have a single toilet that’s backing up on the top floor of your house and the showers, bathtubs and laundry drains on lower levers are working just fine, your problem isn’t in your sewage drain.
On the flip side, if every time you flush, water or sewage backs up into a bathtub or shower, you most likely have a problem. If you suspect the problem is on Hartselle Utilities’ side of the system, call us as soon as possible. If the problem lies within your system, you may need to call a professional plumber.
Of course, preventing a clog or other problem is always cheaper than repairing one. Here are several things you can do to take care of the drains in your home:
Install and maintain a sewer clean-out.
Most modern homes have a sewer clean-out – a capped pipe located on or near your connection to Hartselle’s main sewer line; some homes have multiple clean-outs throughout the system. Having a sewer clean-out helps you keep lines clear, and drain water if a backup occurs.
Don’t use your toilet as a trash can.
Don’t flush facial tissues, napkins, feminine products or diapers down the toilet. Even ‘flushable’ wipes can cause problems in a sewer line; it’s much better to dispose of these in the trash.
Properly dispose of fats, oils and grease in the kitchen.
After it cools, pour cooking oil into a heat-resistant container and put it in the trash. Washing grease down the drain with hot water doesn’t work – once the grease cools, it becomes solid again.
Don’t overload your garbage disposal.
If you put large quantities of anything down your garbage disposal, it can become lodged in your sewer line.
Check your tree roots.
Tree roots can grow into sewer pipes, causing holes and blockages, or they can wrap around a line, crushing it.
Update your sewer pipes.
In older homes, sewer pipes were often built using cast iron and clay. Over time, these will break, crack and collapse, and are susceptible to damage from tree roots. Plastic pipes, which are now standard in new home building, are much less likely to become damaged.
Summer Wastewater Fees Capped Beginning in May
Typically, most of the water a household uses enters the sewer system as waste, so HU uses each customer’s water bill to calculate their sewer fees. During the summer months, residents generally use more water outdoors and this water does not enter the sewer system. HU sets a cap for the summer sewer rates at 120 percent of the average of each customer’s winter usage. From May 1 to October 31, customers are not charged a sewer fee for water used above the cap.
24 HOURS of $aving Energy for Earth Day
Celebrate Earth Day all day on Monday, April 22 with these tips to help you save water & energy.
6am: Keep the refrigerator door closed as you make breakfast
7am: Cold outside? Open the drapes and let the sun help warm the room
8am: Turn off the lights before you leave the house
11am: Reduce ‘standby power.’ Use a power strip to turn off the TV when you’re not watching
12pm: Going out for lunch? Put your computer and monitor to sleep while you’re away
1pm: Don’t waste water! Check faucets for leaks
4pm: Buy energy efficient CFL & LED light bulbs
5pm: Change your air filters monthly to keep your cooling & heating equipment efficient
6pm: Wait to run the dishwasher until you have a full load
7pm: Doing laundry? Using cold water whenever you can saves energy
9pm: Taking a 10-minute shower instead of a bath saves water and energy
11pm: Turn down your thermostat while you’re sleeping
Automatic Bank Draft: The Easiest Way to Pay Your Utility Bill
Tired of writing a check to Hartselle Utilities every month, and want a free way to pay your utility bill? Consider enrolling in our automatic Bank Draft Plan.
“When you enroll in the Bank Draft Plan, you can set it and forget it,” says HU Customer Service Manager Terri Harris. “You’ll never have to worry about late utility bills again. And you can cancel at any time.”
When you enroll in Bank Draft, the amount of your bill is automatically deducted from your bank account on the day it is due each month. You still receive your utility bill each month as usual, and your due date does not change. The message “Paid by Bank Draft” will appear on your bill.
To enroll in the program, complete an enrollment form and bring it or mail it to HU along with a voided check. It takes about two minutes to enroll, and costs absolutely nothing. The form is on our website (go to www.hartselleutilities.com > Information ˃ Automatic Bank Draft), available in our office, or we can mail you a form.
For more information and to request an enrollment form, call HU at (256) 773-3340 or send an email to Customer Service at inquiries@hartselleutilities.org.
Plan Now What To Do During A Tornado Warning
Last month, twenty-three people were killed when a mile-wide tornado struck Lee County, east of Montgomery. Damage from the EF-4 class tornado stretched for 24 miles, and news reports showed empty concrete slabs next to swimming pools where brick houses once stood. At least four other tornadoes hit Alabama the same day.
The bad news is that ‘tornado season’ has just begun.
Hartselle Fire Chief Daryl Fox urges residents to be ready should a tornado or severe storm strike our area. “I encourage every family to have an emergency plan,” he says.”What will you do if a violent storm or tornado is spotted near your home?”
Tornado Warning vs Watch
Advanced warning that a tornado is approaching your area can give you the time needed to move to a safe place. The National Weather Service (NWS) issues tornado alerts when weather conditions mean that tornadoes are more likely. In case of a tornado watch, tune in to local weather reports and check alert notifications; review your plan to get to a safe location quickly; charge your cell phone in case the power goes out; and call anyone who may need assistance.
In the case of a tornado warning, you should take action immediately to move to a safe location.
Even if you have been through a tornado warning in the past without any damage, you should always take immediate action when a tornado warning is issued or you hear tornado sirens.
Forecasters do their best to predict storms, however, tornadoes occasionally develop without detection, and those that are spotted are unpredictable. Never rely solely on weather forecasters and authorities to keep you and your family safe; in stormy weather stay aware of conditions where you are.
Make Decisions Now To Stay Safe Later
Do not wait for a tornado warning to decide where you and your family will seek protection, Fox urges. Having a plan for how and where you will take cover in case of a storm – and practicing your plan – may save lives, especially if you have children.
When inclement weather approaches, know how you will stay informed; news and alerts will help you know when to take action.
- Monitor local weather reports.
- On Twitter or Facebook, follow the Hartselle Police Department (@HartsellePD) or Morgan County Emergency Management Agency (@morgancoema) for alerts.
- Consider buying a NOAA Weather Radio, which receives broadcast alerts directly from NWS.
- In case of a power outage, have extra batteries, a battery-operated radio, and keep your cell phone charged.
Decide where you will take cover at every place you spend a lot of time, including your home, work and place of worship.
As the images from the Lee County tornadoes illustrate, many homes and buildings could be completely destroyed if hit directly by an EF-3, EF-4 or EF-5 category tornado. If you spend time in locations that do not offer adequate protection, such as a mobile home or an open floorplan house, office, gym or retail store, plan ahead and be ready to move to a different location if needed.
If a tornado watch has been issued and school is not in session, the storm shelter at Hartselle High School on Bethel Road will be opened to the public. Generally, school officials have advance warning of a watch being issued, and try to let school out at least an hour in advance so that the school is clear of students. Local authorities issue media alerts when the shelter at the high school is open.
If you decide to stay where you are, in a sturdy building there may be areas which may provide protection in the event of a lower-grade tornado. A key thing to remember, says Fox, is to keep as many floors and walls between you and the storm as possible.
Plan to go to a small interior, windowless room, such as a closet or bathroom. This room should be on the lowest level of the building, and underground if possible. Protect yourself from potential falling or wind-borne debris with a mattress, cushions, sleeping bag or blanket.
In the event a tornado actually hits your location, use the tornado drill position taught for decades in schools: kneel down on your knees, bend over into a ball, and cover your head and neck with your arms.
As always, if your power goes out, call Hartselle Utilities at (256) 773-3340 (after hours: (256) 773-2533). Don’t assume that ‘someone else’ has called, or that we already know. Phone calls help us pinpoint exact locations of outages, which helps to restore power as quickly as possible.
Cold Weather Do’s & Don’ts from the Hartselle Fire Department
Hartselle Utilities Welcomes New Employees
If you’ve visited Hartselle Utilities recently to pay your bill, you’ve probably seen our newest smiling face, Jessica Ross, in our Customer Service Department. Jessica is a diligent worker with a passion for helping people. Kody Turner became Hartselle Utilities newest meter reader in October 2018. His ability to learn quickly and work efficiently has made an immediate, positive impact to our Meter Reading Team. Dylan Forman is a hardworking, team player who joined our Field Operations Department as a Laborer in September 2018. Andy Dove also joined our Field Operations Department as a Laborer in October 2018. His previous experience operating heavy equipment makes him a valuable asset in our work crews.
We are excited to welcome these new employees into the Hartselle Utilities family! Each one brings with them unique skills which continue to advance our ability to better serve our customers.
HU Recognizes Employees for Years of Service
HU recently held its annual Employee Milestone Service Recognition dinner to honor employees who achieved five-year employment anniversaries during 2018. We thank you for your hard work and dedication.
Jonathan Kilpatric, Installer; Glenda Turrentine, Meter Reader; Brian Hill, Equipment Operator; Josh Hensley, Wastewater Treatment Operator.
10 years of service – Greg Knighten, Equipment Operator; 15 years of service – Rex Higgins, Installer; Bo Cowart, Gas System Operator; Brian Kelsoe; Stores Clerk; Matthew Reeves, Serviceman.