Newport News Waterworks, a key utility in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, is currently grappling with a significant backlog in water leak repairs. As of now, the utility is contending with around 160 active leaks, many of which are expected to go unrepaired for up to six months. The primary reason for this delay is a severe shortage of staff, particularly in critical positions like equipment operators.
Yann Le Gouellec, Director of Newport News Waterworks, explained the situation, noting that the utility prioritizes the leaks based on their severity. “We prioritize the leaks between emergency and non-emergency,” Le Gouellec said. He further elaborated that most of the current leaks fall into the low-priority category, meaning they pose no immediate threat to safety or significant disruption of service. However, even these minor leaks contribute to a growing backlog, which is now expected to stretch over several months.
Staffing Shortages and System Age
The crux of the issue lies in staffing. Le Gouellec highlighted that the utility’s current workforce is significantly smaller than it was a decade or more ago. “Typically we would have six to seven full crews, that’s what it was maybe 10 or 15 years ago,” he noted. “Nowadays it’s really more like three and a half, four crews because it’s very difficult to hire equipment operators.”
The aging infrastructure compounds the problem. Newport News Waterworks manages a vast network of pipes, some of which date back more than a century. Le Gouellec pointed out that leaks are somewhat inevitable given the age of the system. “There are sections of the system that are more than 100 years old, and some that are 50 years old, because we’ve been around more than 100 years,” he said.
The industry standard suggests there should be 15 leaks per 100 miles of pipe. Newport News Waterworks, which serves a large urban area, currently averages between 11 and 12 leaks per 100 miles. While this figure is slightly below the industry average, the ongoing staffing shortages mean that the utility is struggling to address these issues promptly.
Le Gouellec emphasized that Newport News Waterworks is committed to reinvesting in its infrastructure. These investments are funded by the ratepayers, who may not always be fully aware of the complexities involved in maintaining a vast and aging water system. “It seems like most people know about turning on the tap but not necessarily how much it takes to run a system,” Le Gouellec remarked.
Open Positions and Recruitment Efforts
To address the backlog, Newport News Waterworks is actively recruiting new staff. They have dozens of open positions, particularly for equipment operators, who are crucial to repairing leaks and maintaining the system. Le Gouellec stressed that these are not just jobs but good career opportunities with competitive salaries. “We have good jobs, we have good salaries, we have entry jobs that are competitive,” he said, hoping to attract candidates to help alleviate the current staffing crisis.
As Newport News Waterworks continues to deal with its staffing challenges, the utility is also focusing on long-term solutions. This includes ongoing infrastructure upgrades and workforce development to ensure the system remains functional and efficient. The aging pipes, coupled with the increasing difficulty in hiring qualified personnel, suggest that Newport News Waterworks will need to continually adapt to meet the demands of its aging infrastructure and growing population.
Source: 3 WTKR