Public Utilities Department
Wastewater Collection and Treatment Division
The Wastewater Treatment Plant provides treatment of all wastewater collected through the sanitary sewer system.
Mission
We consider our two most valuable resources to be the citizens we serve and our skilled, dedicated employees. We seek to build mutual consensus on the prudent regulation of sound environmental stewardship, our citizens’ opinions, and because we all desire a better future for our children and our Town.
Our mission means we are dedicated to teamwork, innovation, and to making our department’s motives open and transparent for all to see. Our mission also requires that we focus the department goals toward encouraging Town development and expanded sanitary sewer services in order that each citizen and visitor to Cramerton can expect safe, efficient, and reliable services.
Our department strives to provide the highest quality of service for all our citizens, characterized by the most cost effective delivery of wastewater services combined with long range land use planning that is sensitive to the needs of our natural resources and residents.
Because of this, our shared goal of becoming the most effective and efficient department is more than our mission. It is our pledge.
Goals
Operate and maintain the Town of Cramerton’s Wastewater Treatment Plant and Collection System in a reliable, safe, productive, and cost-efficient manner.
Maintain compliance with North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR), National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), and Clean Water Act permit requirements.
Promote safety in the workplace through increased employee involvement, as well as taking full advantage of industry educational and technical programs, which are in compliance with State and Federal OSHA regulations.
Public Water Supply Division
The Water Supply Division is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the Town’s water supply system. The system consists of distribution pipelines, as well as other related equipment, such as hydrants, meters and valves.
Mission
Provide the Town of Cramerton with a continuous supply of clean and safe drinking water while responding to customer requests in a timely manner.
Goals
Ensure compliance with comprehensive water systems inspection, repair and preventive maintenance program.
Ensure regulatory requirements from Federal, State, and Local agencies for providing safe drinking water are met.
Continue to explore and implement new procedures and technologies to enhance the efficiency and productivity of the Division while providing the highest level of customer service.
Staff
The Public Utilities Department has five full time members.
Jamie Shytle – Public Utilities Director
Jamie has been employed with the Town since 1999 and is our Director of Public Utilities. He is a senior staff member who is responsible for the operations and maintenance of our Class IV Eagle Road wastewater treatment plant, the sanitary sewer collection systems division, and our public water supply division.
He attended Gaston College and Appalachian State University with a major in conservation/natural resources. He began his career in municipal government in 1980 with the City of Kings Mountain as chief treatment plant operator. He has worked for the City of Shelby and the City of Gastonia as operator in responsible charge of their various wastewater treatment facilities. Some of his key accomplishments include start up of the Crowders Creek water resources reclamation facility and the First Broad River wastewater treatment plant and regional compost facility. In 1993 he was recognized as the NC Grade IV wastewater treatment plant operator of the year.
His qualifications include NC State certification as a Grade IV treatment plant operator, Grade IV sanitary sewer collection systems operator, Biosolids land application systems operator, Grade B water distribution systems operator, and is State certified as a cross connection and back flow prevention operator.
Hubert Hampton – Plant Operations Chief / Collections ORC
Hubert has been employed with the Town since 2003 and works as the Chief of Treatment Plant Operations and operator in responsible charge of our Sewer Collection System Division. He also is responsible for the daily operations of our State certified laboratory.
He began his career in municipal utilities in 1994 with the City of Mt Holly in their water and sewer utility department. One of his key accomplishments was to develop an innovative bio-solids management program for Mt Holly that realized a substantial annual costs savings over previous management practices. He has been a key player in the start up our Eagle Road treatment plant upgrade project and certification of the control laboratory.
His qualifications include NC State certification as a Grade IV treatment plant operator and Grade IV sanitary sewer collection systems operator.
David Barnes – Division Supervisor Public Water Supply
David has been employed with the Town since 2007 and works as the Public Water Supply Division Supervisor. He also works as a back up wastewater treatment plant operator and acts as the Utility Department Safety Coordinator.
He began his career in 1996 with the Lincoln County utilities department as a utilities crew leader and heavy equipment operator. While employed with Lincoln County he obtained his NC State certification as a Grade A water distribution systems operator.
Currently he is attending NC State sponsored training for treatment plant operations and other schools to advance his certifications.
Will Haller – Chief Mechanic
Will has been employed with the Public Utilities Department since April 2009. He works as the chief mechanic for the department. These duties include performing all maintenance requirements for our sewer pumping stations, water booster pump station, and the mechanical equipment at our wastewater treatment facilities.
Justin Barnes – Operator
Justin has been employed with the Public Utilities Department since September 2009. He works out of the wastewater treatment center and is currently training as an operator I. He also assists the sanitary sewer collections section and the water distribution section. He will be attending State sponsored formal training this fall.
Public Utilities News:
Water Meters
Water Meter Replacement Project: The Board of Commissioners has awarded a contract to Hawkensen Construction to replace all water meters to a radio-read system. This new technology will allow meters to be read by simply driving past your home or business. This will make meter reading and the billing process much more efficient. Additionally, utility personnel can monitor meters with the opportunity to detect unusual usage and potential problems before they would otherwise become known. The project will take at least 90 days. The Town will be communicating with citizens through the Connect-CTY message system to let you know when particular neighborhoods are scheduled for replacement.
Utility Bills
We continually have questions regarding utility bills. Issues normally arise from excess usage. Our objective is to bill properly for consumption as determined by monthly meter readings of water passing through the meter. The sewer charge is based on water usage. Our minimum residential bill is based on 2,000 gallons and is $43.90. Water is billed at $6.05 and sewer is billed at $6.95 per 1,000 gallons used over the minimum 2,000 gallons. Rates are established annually at levels estimated to sustain utility operations at levels acceptable to the State and Federal Governments. Rate schedules are available at Town Hall. Adjustments (primarily usage attributable to leaks) are handled on a per occurrence basis and may require evidence that appropriate corrective actions have been made. Present administrative policy allows one adjustment, if warranted, every three years. Water service is established and terminated by submission of written documentation. No deposit is required of homeowners. A deposit of $100 is required for tenants.
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