WEATHERING THE STORM
CONTINUOUS SERVICES IN THE
WAKE OF THE STORM
While clearing roadways and restoring power quickly became a priority following the August 10 derecho, an initial feeling of relief came to residents upon discovering that their water was still running and their toilets could still flush. Great care is taken by the City of Cedar Rapids Utilities Department to ensure its ability to provide continuous, reliable service no matter what Mother Nature sends our way.
T
he treatment of water and wastewater are both
the temperature) — took on additional meaning when any
processes that must be online 24 hours a day, day
ounce of normalcy was especially welcome.
in and day out. The sewer and storm sewer network
need to work reliably around the clock. Garbage collection is another essential service residents rely on every week. Reliable service is a benchmark that the entire City of Cedar Rapids team is proud to meet every day. After the storm, simple comforts like a cold glass of water after hours of backyard cleanup — and a shower (no matter
12
OUR CR
|
In the week following the storm, garbage-collection crews provided new relief as entire refrigerators and freezers were emptied from customers’ homes. In only three days, crews collected more than two weeks’ worth of garbage — much of it by hand — as double- and triple-bagged piles awaited curbside collection. This spoiled food could have
NOVEMBER 2020
