The City of Lenoir Council proclaimed May 7 to 13, 2023, to be "Celebrate Drinking Water Week" in Lenoir. All societies need fresh, clean drinking water to survive and thrive.
Mayor Joe Gibbons read the "Celebrate Drinking Water Week" proclamation Tuesday, May 2, 2023, and presented it to City Public Utilities staff.
The Public Utilities Division provides water and sewer services in Lenoir. Jeff Church is the Public Utilities Operations Manager. He runs the division. Kevin Matheson is the Water Treatment Plant Supervisor and is in charge of operations at the water treatment plant.
"Thank you Mayor, Council, Mr. Hildebran for this proclamation," Public Utilities Operations Manager Church said. "I've been in this department for nine months now. One thing during those months that I've really learned is how much [Kevin and his team do] and what he does to provide safe drinking water for our community. I appreciate what Kevin does and all the rest of the department as well, because they do a lot of hard work to provide safe drinking water."
The City of Lenoir provides clean water to tens of thousands of residents and businesses in Caldwell County. The City provides water directly to Lenoir and Hudson residents. The City sells bulk water to Baton Water Corporation, Caldwell County, and the Town of Sawmills.
Staff operates the City water treatment plant 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The plant draws water from the Catawba River, which can get pretty muddy sometimes. Even so, the plant can produce up to 12 million gallons of clear, potable (safe to drink) water per day. The water system can store 13.4 million gallons of water and can pump 9,375 gallons per minute. City water is delivered to customers via more than 200 miles of water lines and 11,000 service lines.
Superintendent Matheson said water is critical to communities and most of us take it for granted.
"I've been with the City 16 years," Superintendent Matheson said. "My background is in biology and science and chemistry. And even with that background, I had no idea everything that went into making safe drinking water. I appreciate all that y'all do. We'll keep doing our very best to turn muddy water into potable drinking water that is ascetically pleasing, tastes good, and is there when you need it when you turn the tap on."
PROCLAMATION IN CELEBRATION OF DRINKING WATER WEEK
WHEREAS, water is our most valuable natural resource; and
WHEREAS, only tap water delivers public health protection, fire protection, support for our economy and the quality of life we enjoy; and
WHEREAS, any measure of a successful society - low mortality rates, economic growth and diversity, productivity, and public safety are in some way related to access to safe water; and
WHEREAS, we are all stewards of the water infrastructure upon which future generations depend; and
WHEREAS, each citizen of the City of Lenoir is called upon to help protect our source waters from pollution, to practice water conservation, and to get involved in local water issues by getting to know their water;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Lenoir, North Carolina, and on behalf of the Lenoir City Council, I do hereby proclaim the week of May 7 – 13, 2023, as “Celebrate Drinking Water Week” throughout the City of Lenoir.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Lenoir to be affixed this the 2nd day of May, 2023.
Joseph L. Gibbons, Mayor
Pictured from left: Councilman David Stevens, City Manager Scott Hildebran, Mayor Pro Tem Crissy Thomas, Councilman Ike Perkins, Mayor Joe Gibbons, Councilman Jonathan Beal, Water Treatment Plan Superintendent Kevin Matheson, Public Utilities Operations Manager Jeff Church, and Public Services Director Radford Thomas.