At Heber Springs Water and Wastewater Utility, our goal is to provide safe, clean, sparkling water to all of our residents!
Established in 1914, the Heber Springs Water and Wastewater Utility operates out of revenues provided by the water and sewer rates. It does not receive any local, state, or federal tax monies. It is managed by a general manager under a three person commission approved by the Heber Springs City Council.
The Wastewater Collection System Maintenance Crew, aka the Sewer Crew, is a construction crew that is mainly responsible for maintaining the sanitary wastewater collection system, including installing, inspecting, CCTVing, smoke testing, dye testing, repairing, rehabbing, and replacing sewer mains, manholes, sewer taps, as well as performing cleaning of sewer mains using high velocity cleaners and bucket machines. Most of their work consists of pipeline construction. The crew supervisor is Brandon Harlan, and the crew leader/equipment operator is Robert Hannah.
The Water Distribution System Maintenance Crew, aka the Water Crew, is a construction crew that is mainly responsible for maintaining the potable water distribution system, including installing, inspecting, repairing, rehabbing, and replacing potable water mains, valves, service lines, and other water main related appurtenances. They are also responsible for flushing the distribution system twice a year. The Crew Supervisor is Wes Scoggins, and the crew leader/equipment operator is Matt Presley.
The Maintenance Crew is a crew that is mainly reactionary in nature, it is a crew that is a "catch all" in that it performs general maintenance and emergency repairs on the water collection and wastewater collection systems, including repairing leaks in the water distribution and wastewater collection systems, cleaning sewer mains as needed, making water and sewer service taps, flushing the distribution system twice a year, activating water valves, changing out meters, repairing and replacing water and sewer services, repairing street patches, and any other small jobs that may arise. The Crew Supervisor is Casey Rider, and the Crew Leader/Equipment Operator is Payton Goodman.
The Maintenance Crew is a crew that is mainly reactionary in nature, it is a crew that is a "catch all" in that it performs general maintenance and emergency repairs on the water collection and wastewater collection systems, including repairing leaks in the water distribution and wastewater collection systems, cleaning sewer mains as needed, making water and sewer service taps, flushing the distribution system twice a year, activating water valves, changing out meters, repairing and replacing water and sewer services, repairing street patches, and any other small jobs that may arise. The Crew Supervisor is Casey Rider, and the Crew Leader/Equipment Operator is Payton Goodman.
The Water Treatment Plant Operators are responsible for pumping raw water from the lake, treating it at the treatment plant via filtering, and adding required chemicals, sampling and testing of the raw, filtered, and treated water, and then distributing the water through a gravity system as well as a pumped system to the water distribution system. They are also responsible for monitoring tank levels, tank conditions, water quality throughout the system, and tanks. The Water Plant Manager is Randy White. The head operator is Michael Lloyd.
The Wastewater Treatment Operators are responsible for receiving all of sanitary wastewater from the City of Heber Springs as well as Eden Isle, treating it using Dissolved Air Floatation processes as well as UV disinfection, and screening to provide a clean effluent of treated wastewater that is discharged into the Little Red River. The operators are also responsible for the maintenance and repair of all of the lift stations in the system as well as ensuring that the treated wastewater undergoes testing to meet rigid standards. The operators also maintain the Utility's Fats, Oils, and Grease (F.O.G.) program and coordinate the maintenance of grease and oil interceptors connected to the system. They also report test results and sanitary sewer overflows to ADEQ as required. The Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager is Joey Massey. The head operator is Phillip Hefner.
The Mechanic is responsible for maintaining all of the Utility vehicles and equipment on a small scale. This also includes small electrical issues at the plant, lift stations, and office. He is assisted by a Groundskeeper that is responsible for maintaining the Utility's right of ways, as well as other property owned by the utility. Both of these positions act as a backup to the crews as need due to lack of staff. The Mechanic is Cody Linderman, and the Groundskeeper is Patrick Cumnock.
The Customer Service Technician is responsible for acting as an interface between the office staff and the customers. This person performs many functions such as turning water on or off, checking for leaks, check meter readings, acquire meter readings, checking pressures in system, maintaining the Utility's Cross-Connection Control program, and anything else that needs to be done that can be done by one person on an "as needed" basis. The Customer Service Technician is Mike Stuart.
The General Manager/CEO is the head of the company. He is above all of the employees and supervisors. The General Manager sees that the operation runs smoothly, from the crews, office staff, and customer relations. He makes sure that all of the employees receive the training and education that is necessary for their position. The General Manager is Paul Graham.
The Assistant Manager supervises all of the crews, is in charge of leaks, sewer taps, water taps, 811 locates, and everything else that is done in the work field. The Assistant Manager is Tom Stanford.
The HR Manager handles dealing with insurance for the employees, work related injuries, and anything else that falls under the scope of HR. The HR Manager is Linda Fletcher.
The Accounting Manager/CFO is responsible for all things related to the Utility's finances. This includes paying bills, taking payments, making the yearly budget, assisting in the yearly audit(s), giving the Commission monthly updates on the Utility's finances, as well as making payroll, and issuing money to employees as needed. The Accounting Manager is Nikki Early.
The Office Manager is in charge of the main office and everything that relates to business with customers. This also includes assigning work assignments to the crews as well as the service technician. The Office Manager is Debra Laudwig.
The Office Staff answers phone calls, performs billing, shut-offs, accepts payments, and assists customers with whatever they may need. Tasks can change on a day-to-day basis depending on what the crews and customers need. The Office Staff includes Nora Mullady and Carly Clark.
The Company Dog helps on leaks, water and sewer taps, and flushing fire hydrants etc. by providing emotional support! He is our company mascot, along with Willy the Water Drop of course. The Company Dog is Corp Stop.
All of these positions require years of experience and occupational licenses/certifications and many hours of continuing education. All but Corp Stop's. His position just requires being cute.
