Spartanburg Water is inviting customers to get an inside look at how it provides water to the community—from the watershed to the tap.
The utility is now accepting applications for Water Matters—a citizens’ academy that will provide a short-term curriculum of classes, hands-on demonstrations of new technology and field trips to Spartanburg Water facilities and lakes.
Water Matters will consist of six Tuesday sessions, lasting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. each day, and will be hosted at different facilities within Spartanburg Water. A field trip is also scheduled, as well as graduation ceremony. The first class is scheduled for October 6. Applications are due by Friday, August 21, and class participation is limited to current Spartanburg Water customers. There is no cost to participate.
Water Matters will help the utility create a network of individuals who are not only knowledgeable about key water issues but also willing to help expand that knowledge by serving as outreach ambassadors for water education, said Sue Schneider, Chief Executive Officer.
“There is much more to water than turning on the tap, and our leadership team has developed a rich curriculum that is geared towards creating a better understanding of what elements go into the delivery—and treatment—of your Spartanburg Water,” Schneider said. “To echo the name of our program, we want to convey the important message that ‘water matters.’”
The classes will focus on a number of different components of water treatment, distribution and development, as well as the environment—Spartanburg Water is the custodian of both Lakes Blalock and Bowen in Spartanburg County. Participants will learn about:
– The behind the scenes work Spartanburg Water is doing every day to ensure a safe and reliable water supply is available to fuel our economy and meet regional needs.
– New programs and technological advancements to improve customer experience, as well as plans to embrace recent challenges, plan for the future and create further innovation.
– How Spartanburg Water maintains its watersheds on Lakes Bowen and Blalock and how the water in those lakes is managed for not only drinking water, but also for the enjoyment of recreation and other downstream uses.
– An overview of the Spartanburg Water System.
Class size is limited. To apply for the program, please visit www.spartanburgwater.org. For more information, contact Chad Lawson, at (864) 580-5693, or at [email protected].