banner contact links home mission news history rates personnel employment quality forms board tips employment employment board employment Board employment employment Board employment employment water sense Board employment employment board employment Board employment employment employment employment contact links home mission news history rates personnel employment quality forms board tips employment employment board employment Board employment employment Board employment employment water sense Board employment employment board employment Board employment employment employment employment water sense Board employment employment board employment Board employment employment employment employment  


Samantha E. Bartow, (R) Chairman of WEASC Blue Ridge Foothills District, presents Water Distribution Operator of the Year Award to Todd Dennis (L)


Janice Perry and Dyke Spencer are shown with
the gifts collected for AIM


Leon Harmon


JT Tingen


Towers Rice, new board member of PWD


Phil Landreth, Chairman


John M. Kunst, Vice Chairman


Melba Garrison, left – Dyke Spencer, right


Norman Garrison, Chairman of Board of Directors
for Powdersville Water District


Levi Owens


Paul Richardson


From left to right, Dyke Spencer, General Manager, Ralph Page, former Board member, Norman Garrison, Board Chairman, Charles Chandler, former Board member, Barbara Bridges, long-time employee(retired), and
Lee Luff, President Anderson Chamber


Dyke Spencer, General Manager for PWD, presents Office Manager of the year award to Janice Perry


Tracy Wyatt, left, and Chris Rasco, right, are shown accepting the Kelly A. Hunsucker Award for Powdersville Water District


Justin Clemones receives State Water Distribution
Operator of the Year Award

News

January 18, 2012
Press Release
Todd Dennis receives Water Distribution Operator of the Year Award
On Tuesday evening, January 17th, the Water Environment Association of South Carolina (WEASC) Blue Ridge Foothills District members held its annual awards meeting at the Mauldin Hejaz Shrine Club. Powdersville Water District’s Lead Meter Technician, Todd Dennis, was the recipient of the Water Distribution Operator of the Year award. Todd began his duties with Powdersville Water District fifteen years ago as an Operator trainee. He has advanced to his current position and holds a Class B Water Distribution Operator’s license and is a certified backflow tester. His leadership and dedication were highlighted in 2008 when Todd lead the team that moved PWD from manual reading of meters to automatic meter reading (AMR). Under Todd’s supervision, PWD’s meter reading man-hours have been reduced from an average of 600 per month to an average of 65. His current responsibilities include supervising the meter reading process, meter maintenance and inventory control. He works closely with the Operations staff and is often called upon to assist where needed. “He is very dedicated to his work and the customers in the Powdersville Water District,” said Janice Perry, Customer Service Manager. “We are very fortunate to have Todd as a member of the team of water professionals we have here at Powdersville Water District.”

December 28, 2011
Press Release
District Employees Provide a Helping Hand to AIM
Powdersville Water District’s employees, Board and Advisory Committee participated in the Anderson Interfaith Ministries (AIM) Christmas Gifts for Children Program again this year. As part of the program AIM provides the first names of children from a needy family, their ages and gift suggestions. This information is listed on gift tags and placed on the PWD Christmas tree. PWD employees wishing to purchase a specific gift take a gift tag from the tree and shop for the child. In addition, some employees and Board members pool their cash donations in order to purchase larger items. “The overall response was outstanding again this year and PWD was able to provide approximately 36 gifts to four children ages six to thirteen years of age” Janice Perry, Customer Service Manager reported. The gifts included toys and clothing items for each child and a $50 gift card for the family. This is the fifth year Powdersville Water District has participated in this program. The gifts were delivered to Anderson Interfaith Ministries on December 8th. General Manager, Dyke Spencer explained, “This is a great program and I am very proud of the support provided by everyone at Powdersville Water District.” In addition to the year-end Christmas Gifts for Children program, PWD collected food and grocery items for the AIM food pantry. Employees can also contribute money to AIM and United Christian Ministries all year through payroll deductions. This money is given with the sole purpose of helping needy people with water utility related expenses. In 2011, PWD employees gave over $1800 to this effort. Many of PWD’s customers also support AIM through the District’s H20 (Help 2 Others) Program. This partnership with Anderson Interfaith Ministries (AIM), allows our customers to donate a small amount each month for this charitable cause by simply rounding up their water bill to the nearest whole dollar amount. Collectively, this small amount of change from numerous customers each month will allow AIM to assist qualified needy residents of Anderson County to obtain safe drinking water. Customers will never spend more than $12 annually to assist in this cause.

November 29, 2011
Press Release
Water District Approves Rate Increase
At their recent monthly meeting , the Powdersville Water District Board of Directors approved a 5.5 percent rate increase for retail customers that will become effective with the January, 2012 billing. The recommendation for the increase was the result of the District’s annual budget and rate modeling process. Each year the District completes an annual update of its comprehensive Financial Plan and Rate Model to ensure that rates are adequate to cover projected expenses for the coming year. This process takes into account not only the ongoing expenses of operating the system on a day-to-day basis but also debt service costs and any planned capital improvements.

The rate increase was driven by four key factors:

• The District’s three wholesale water suppliers’ each plan to increase their rates in the coming year, which will increase the price of the water entering PWD’s system.
• Approximately $200,000 of utility relocation work will be necessary due to new road construction that has been forecasted for 2012 by SCDOT and the Anderson and Pickens County Transportation Departments.
• The District continues to fund several upgrades to the water distribution system to provide a better level of service to all customers.
• Normal operating expense categories, such as fuel, electricity and materials costs, increased during 2011.

“We have worked diligently to keep the increase as low as possible this year”, Phil Landreth, Board Chairman said. “We know that these are tough economic times, but the increase is necessary to maintain the current level of service to our customers.“ With the increase, PWD water rates remain average when compared to other similar sized utilities across the Upstate. A typical PWD residential customer who uses 6,000 gallons per month can expect to pay $31.69 per month with the new rate in place.

October 25, 2011
Press Release
Water District Welcomes Two New Members to its Advisory Committee
At their October Board Meeting, the Powdersville Water District approved the appointment of Leon C. Harmon and Jonathan R. “JT” Tingen to serve on the Advisory Committee to the Board for a term of one year. The Advisory Committee was created by the Board for the sole purpose of training future Board Members. Leon is a graduate of Clemson University where he received a BS degree in Chemical Engineering. He also has a Law degree from Emory University. He is a member of Nexsen Pruet, LLC. Leon is active in his church, school booster clubs and boards, and Clemson IPTAY. Leon and his wife, Susan, have lived in the Powdersville Community for 10 years. They have 3 children and 3 grandchildren. JT received his training in electronics from Greenville Technical College. He is currently Health Safety Manager at Hartness International. He is the Fire Chief for the Powdersville Fire Department and is on the Anderson County Hazardous Material Team. He also actively serves in his church. He and his wife, Lisa, have been residents of the Powdersville community for 33 years. They have two children. Mr. Harmon and Mr. Tingen will join current member Wayne Atkinson on the Advisory Committee. “We are fortunate to have an Advisory Committee of this caliber working with Powdersville Water District’s Board of Directors”, explained Phil Landreth, Board Chairman.

October 17, 2011
Press Release
Powdersville Water Moves to Voluntary Water Restrictions
The Powdersville Water District is asking all customers to make an effort to conserve water by volunteering to implement water saving practices in their daily lives. Members of the SC Drought Response Committee have recently declared all counties in the state are in the moderate drought phase. Based upon the continued dry climate conditions in the Upstate, the District feels that it is prudent to ask all customers to contribute their efforts to conserve water as we move into the fall. “We are not in trouble with supplying water, but we should all start acting now to conserve water. The current drought conditions will likely have a direct impact on the spring months of 2012,” said General Manager Dyke Spencer. “Our source water reservoirs at Lakes Keowee and Hartwell are experiencing markedly lower levels. The long range rain forecast for our area is below normal and this is not good. Typically, the reservoirs will replenish naturally from winter rains but, right now, that is not in the forecast. Therefore, we are asking each of our customers (residential and commercial) to voluntarily conserve water so that, hopefully, our supply reservoirs will be in better shape in the spring when water demands will increase. If everyone does their part, we can hopefully avoid future mandatory restrictions and rate surcharges. Our hope is that everyone would have the same mentality as they have regarding recycling their household trash. It is all about protecting the environment and protecting a precious resource that most of us take for granted.” To assist the public with water conservation, the District has provided helpful information on its website at www.powdersvillewaterdistrict.com. This information may be found on the main web page by clicking on the yellow box marked Water Conservation Tips.

July 29, 2011
Press Release
Water District Welcomes New Board Member
At their July Board Meeting, the Powdersville Water District’s Board of Directors elected Towers Rice to serve on the Board of Directors.

Mr. Rice has served on the District’s Advisory Committee since 2008. He is also a Board member in the Kiwanis Club, a committee member for Scout Troop 96 of the Boy Scouts, and serves on the Economic Development Board for Anderson County. Mr. Rice is a graduate of the Citadel, a licensed general contractor and a commercial broker with Spectrum Commercial Properties. He and his wife Kathryn and their four children reside in the Wren community.

Other members of the Powdersville Water District Board are: Phil Landreth, Chairman; John Kunst, Vice-Chairman; Jimmy Williams, Treasurer; Seth Landrum, Ernest Evans, Sam Lusk, Freddie Zink and Suzanne Childs.

“We are very pleased to have people of this caliber and business experience on the Powdersville Water District Board”, explained Phil Landreth, the District’s Board Chairman.

July 15, 2011
Press Release
Powdersville Water District has new officers
At their June Board Meeting, the Powdersville Water District Board of Directors appointed new officers. Phil Landreth was elected Chairman and John Kunst was elected Vice-Chairman.

Mr. Landreth has served on the PWD Board for three years and as Vice-Chairman for two years. Prior to his service on the board, Phil was a member of PWD’s Advisory Committee. He is a graduate of Clemson University and is currently the Director of Instructional and Research Support at Clemson University. He and his wife, Debbie, and their three children reside in the Powdersville area.

Mr. Kunst has served on the PWD Board for five years and as Treasurer for three years. He also served on the Advisory Committee before joining the Board. He is a graduate of Bob Jones University and a Certified Public Accountant. John is currently Vice President, Finance and Administration, for Anderson University. He and his wife, Pam, are residents of the Easley area served by the District.

The recent election was necessary to appoint a leader of the Board due to the recent death of Norman Garrison, former Chairman of the Board. Mr. Landreth was previously the Vice-Chairman and Kunst replaced him as Vice-Chairman when Landreth assumed the new role as Chairman.

Other members of the Powdersville Water District Board are: Seth Landrum, Ernest Evans, Sam Lusk, Freddie Zink, Suzanne Childs and Jimmy Williams. “We are very fortunate to have seasoned members of the Board that are ready to assume key roles at the District,” explained Dyke Spencer, General Manager.


July 1, 2011
Press Release
Powdersville Water District Honors Norman Garrison
During the opening moments of Powdersville Water District’s (PWD) board meeting on June 20th, the Board unanimously approved a framed Resolution recognizing Norman Garrison for his lifelong dedication, commitment and service to Powdersville Water District. Dyke Spencer, General Manager, presented a framed copy of the Resolution to Norman’s wife, Melba, and daughter, Melinda Garrison.

May 28, 2011
Press Release
Powdersville Area Loses Prominent Community Leader
Norman Garrison, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Powdersville Water District, passed away unexpectedly Saturday evening, May 28th, at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Norman was a building contractor and a long time resident of the Powdersville community. He began his service on the Board of Powdersville Water District (PWD) in 1978. He served as Vice-Chairman for several years and became Board Chairman in 2010.

As a prominent builder and leader in Powdersville, Norman participated in the tremendous growth of the Powdersville area over the years. While serving on the PWD Board, he was active in encouraging the District to be proactive in meeting the changing needs of the service area of PWD. He was a member of the Building Committee in 1992 when PWD built a new office at 1719 Circle Road and was also a member of the Personnel Committee who searched for a general manager in 2004. Norman recently praised the PWD staff at the 40th Celebration on May 12th for their hard work and dedication to the Powdersville community. “Powdersville Water District is striving to become a world class utility,” said Garrison. “This basically means that we want to be ranked as one of the best when compared to our peers nationwide. This vision continually challenges our staff to find better and more efficient ways of doing their jobs.”

“Norman will be greatly missed by me, Powdersville Water District and the community. Norman was our “ball of fire” that will be hard to replace. I loved his energy,” said Dyke Spencer, General Manager for PWD. “He loved serving the community and the Powdersville Water District."

May 26, 2011
Press Release
Powdersville Water District Welcomes Levi Owens and Paul Richardson
Powdersville Water District (PWD) recently welcomed Levi Owens and Paul Richardson to the PWD staff. Both employees were hired to fill existing positions that have been vacant. They will be working in the Operations Department as Operator Trainees. This position consists of training to perform basic tasks of maintaining, repairing, constructing, locating and installing water mains and appurtenances in accordance with policies, procedures, regulations and standards of quality and safety. Levi Owens began his duties with PWD in January and Paul Richardson started in May.

May 12, 2011
Press Release
Powdersville Water District’s celebrates its 40th year serving Pickens and Anderson Counties
On Thursday, May 12th, Powdersville Water District’s celebrated its 40th year serving Pickens and Anderson Counties by hosting a joint business afterhours with the Easley and Anderson Chambers.

Norman Garrison, Chairman of the Board, praised the PWD staff for their hard work and dedication to the Powdersville community. “Powdersville Water District is striving to become a world class utility,” said Garrison. “This basically means that we want to be ranked as one of the best when compared to our peers nationwide. This vision continually challenges our staff to find better and more efficient ways of doing their jobs.”

“We are very proud of our forty year milestone and the celebration of PWD’s many accomplishments,” said Dyke Spencer, General Manager. “I don’t have to tell anyone that times are rapidly changing. We are quickly learning that we just can’t do everything like we did in the past and expect the same results, especially as a water provider. It is vital that we treasure and protect this precious resource by making wise choices each day. There will be many challenges of this nature that comes with future economic growth. We are thankful for the support of this community and we look forward to serving you another 40 plus years,” said Spencer.

MILESTONES for PWD

  • 1967 Concerned citizens met, officers elected for Water Committee
  • 1968 First Board of Directors elected and Farmers Home Administration Loan secured for $1.2 million
  • 1970 Taps sold for $75
  • 1971 Saluda Valley-Powdersville Water Company, Inc. opened office and water started flowing for 1,200 customers
  • 1980 4,042 customers
  • 1983 First computer purchased for office
  • 1992 Name changed to Powdersville Water Company, Inc.
  • 1992 Office relocated to Highway 81 and computer system purchased to monitor water distribution
  • 2001 Powdersville Water Company, Inc. became a special purpose district - name changed to Powdersville Water District
  • 2010 11,410 customers

April 14, 2011
Press Release
Janice Perry receives Office Manager of the Year Award
Janice Perry, Customer Service Manager and Public Relations Coordinator for Powdersville Water District, recently received the Office Manager of the Year Award at the South Carolina Rural Water Decision Maker’s Summit held April 10-11, 2011, at Charleston. This award is given annually through a nomination and selection process conducted by representatives of peer water systems across the state. Janice has worked at Powdersville Water District for 15-plus years. She began her duties as a front line Customer Service Representative and has advanced to her current position of Customer Service Manager and Public Relations Coordinator. “Janice richly deserves this award,” said Gordon Brush, Director of Finance and Administration. “She is hard-working, organized and easily embraces change and innovation. She has played a key role in modernizing our billing and payment processes over the past few years. We are very fortunate to have such a talented person like her at PWD.”

April 6, 2011
Press Release
Water District says, “ Save your Money”
Customers of the Powdersville Water District (PWD) have recently been finding written flyers and sample bottles left at their door steps. The flyer requests that the resident fill the sample bottle and leave it for pickup the following day. PWD wants all its customers to know that this solicitation has not originated from their water provider. “The water sampling is unnecessary since the drinking water served to PWD customers is of very high quality and meets all EPA and SCDHEC standards. These companies are trying to sell you water filtering equipment. Save your money,” said Dyke Spencer, General Manager. The flyers are being distributed by a company located in Greenville and Lexington, SC. According to PWD, no one from this company contacted the water district prior to soliciting their customers. “The phones started ringing this past week when customers received the flyers and sample bottles,” stated Customer Service Manager, Janice Perry. “Unfortunately, our customers are confused when they receive information about their drinking water and it does not originate from their water provider.”

March 24, 2011
Press Release
Powdersville Water District Receives the Kelly A. Hunsucker Award
Powdersville Water District was the recipient of the Kelly A. Hunsucker Award at the South Carolina Environmental Conference held at Myrtle Beach, SC, March 12-15th. This award is given annually by the South Carolina Section of the American Water Works Association (SCAWWA) to the utility that has made significant contributions in cross connection control operations, program development, implementation and improvement. “Cross connection control” is a general term that encompasses all measures taken by a water utility to protect the water supply from contaminants entering the system via a water user’s tap due to an unusual drop in water pressure or a backflow condition. This potential hazard is usually remedied by installing a testable backflow device at the customer’s metered connection where this potential scenario typically exists. PWD General Manager, Dyke Spencer explained, “The award is named after Kelly Hunsucker, a gentleman that basically started the SCDHEC Cross-Connection Control Program in South Carolina during the early 80’s. I knew Kelly and he was the best program manager that I have ever encountered in the regulatory business. He had a genuine interest in his job and it always showed. Receiving an award named after Kelly Hunsucker is truly an award of excellence and I am very proud of our staff for performing on this level.” Powdersville Water District currently has over 11,400 active taps with approximately 250 accounts protected with testable backflow devices. All fire lines, commercial irrigation lines, and businesses identified with a potential hazard are required to have the proper cross connection device installed and tested annually. The PWD staff routinely conducts inspections of customer connections to determine the degree of hazard of a potential backflow condition. PWD has taken significant steps in the past year to improve compliance in this area. GPS coordinates for each cross connection device have been added to the connection/back flow device layer in our GIS mapping system. As new fire lines are installed, the meter technicians flag the accounts and coordinate with the Operations Department to schedule the collection of the GPS points. All attributes associated with the device are recorded and entered into the system. This has been very beneficial to PWD and our customers. In that when a licensed tester or owner needs the location of the backflow device, we have this information at our fingertips. This saves both time and effort for our employees and our customers.

March 16, 2011
Press Release
Justin Clemones receives State Water Distribution Operator of the Year Award
Justin Clemones, Compliance Specialist for Powdersville Water District, recently received the statewide award at the South Carolina Environmental Conference held March 12-15, 2011, at Myrtle Beach. This award is given annually by the South Carolina Section of the American Water Works Association (SCAWWA); through a nomination and selection process conducted by representatives of peer water systems across the state. Justin began his duties with Powdersville Water District four years ago as an Operator trainee and, through dedication, hard work and achievement, he has advanced to his current position. He holds a Class C Water Distribution Operator’s license with the State of SC. His responsibilities include many regulatory required duties, including hydrant testing, valve maintenance, backflow compliance and water sampling, water quality monitoring and several other requirements of the State Drinking Water Regulations. “Justin is a very conscientious employee,” said Superintendent, Chris Rasco. “He learns quickly and is very dedicated to his position and the customers in the Powdersville Water District. We are very fortunate to have Justin as a member of the PWD team of professionals.”