What are you thankful for?

I’m not sure what your life has been like this year. Mine has been so busy, it seems I haven’t had time to take a breath. In preparing this piece, I paused and realized how thankful I am for a lot of things. Those who know me know I have a lot for which to be thankful personally. But in this piece, I want to share with you what I am thankful for professionally.

In a world where many families have trouble getting clean water, I am thankful that 20% of the world’s fresh water supply is directly beside us, and we have the ability to use it to provide you high-quality, affordable drinking water. There has been a lot of news recently about the increasing level of algae in Lake Erie due to agricultural runoff and other nutrients. We each have a role in reducing nutrients from entering the lake (e.g., appropriate application of fertilizers to lawns, separating combined sewers, improving buffers at edges of water bodies). But even when algae levels are at their highest, our water treatment process removes algae and the associated tastes/odors, leaving your drinking water unaffected.

I am thankful that we have such a dedicated and conscientious staff at Avon Lake Municipal Utilities (ALMU). Our staff took the threat of Hurricane Sandy seriously and made several preparations to minimize its impact. As a result, no one went without water and only one home called with a sanitary sewer backup. Last month, our staff also took the initiative to institute “robocalls” before customers’ water was shut off for non-payment. These calls helped approximately 100 customers ensure their water was not turned off. Other unseen staff accomplishments relate to assuring the water you drink remains healthy and tasteful (which takes a lot of effort as water quality rapidly changes) and ensuring the wastewater you generate is treated to levels that help keep our beaches safe during the summer.

Finally, I am thankful for you, our customer. You have waited patiently for us to get the water back on when we have a water break and put up with the inconveniences of construction as we replace water and/or sewer lines. You willingly pay your bills for the services we provide and offer your input when we undertake customer surveys. We exist to provide a service to you. We hope to always accomplish that service well and welcome your feedback—whether positive or negative.

This blog on Patch is a wonderful opportunity to present information to you,
our customers. However, we welcome a more interactive dialog—via telephone
(440-933-6226), via email (contact@avonlakewater.org), through social media (Facebook/Twitter), or in person (we’re at 201 Miller Road). If you're into social media, be sure to follow us on Twitter or Like our Facebook page for timely tips and updates and/or provide feedback. And be sure to sign up for CodeRED for up-to-the-minute emergency information, including water main events. As always, we exist for one purpose alone—Healthy customers, healthy environment through sustainable water management.