Shout Outs! Small Acts of Kindness Make a Big Impression Erika Hoffman (Engineering) saw the following on a facebook post: I just finished a quick lunchtime bike ride. A little after noon, I was riding down Sanderson Rd. There was a Western Virginia Water Authority truck parked on the shoulder. As I approached the truck, the driver reached out the window and folded the mirror in to the side of the truck so I would have more room to pass. That little act of kindness is really appreciated.
Fire Road Improvements Field Operations CIP crews completed a project at Carvins Cove along the fire road during September. The project involved removing an existing undersized storm culvert pipe and replacing it with a box culvert to avoid future washouts during extreme wet weather events. The new box culvert is 4-feet in height and 5-feet wide and should provide adequate capacity to pass upstream debris as well as any significant storm runoff.
1957 Pump Station
Photo taken July 2020
Competing in a Virtual World
Blue Ridge Brawlers Win National Championship The Webs We Weave
This Argiope aurantia, more commonly know as the black and yellow garden spider, had spun its web on a gate. Also known as a “zipper spider” due to the appearance of the center of their web, this spider can become as large as your hand.
If someone you know has been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic or are having financial difficulties paying their water and sewer utility bill, assistance to pay that bill is available through Authority Cares and the CARES Act. Authority Cares is the utility assistance program of the Western Virginia Water Authority that can help customers that may experience difficulty in paying their water or sewer bill.
While it’s appearance can be eerie, it won’t hurt you. There are only two venomous spiders in Virginia, the brown recluse and the black widow.
To view the contact information for funding through the CARES Act or for more information about Authority Cares, please visit our website:
www.westernvawater.org/authoritycares
If you have a suggestion for a story, photos or announcements for On Good Authority, please send your ideas to robin.bailey@ westernvawater.org. Thanks for reading. Keep those emails flowing! September/October 2020
You never know what you’ll see on a walk through the WPC Plant.
In Remembrance Mike Cundiff, AKA Cuda, passed away on September 9. Mike retired from the Authority in 2017 as a Utility Construction Technician. Mike often helped with set-up at company luncheons and events. His obituary noted, “He was an avid outdoorsman, never knew a stranger, and was always the life of the party.”
Remember when people used the word “virtual” to mean the following: “After living in this neighborhood for 15 years, the person next door is still a virtual stranger to me.” Now we use the term to apply to virtual realities, virtual hugs, virtual classrooms, virtual medical appointments and the list virtually goes on and on. The Blue Ridge Brawlers recently competed in two virtual competitions. In September Lacy Burnette and Stephen Lofaro were named VWEA Operations Duo Challenge winners. In October Lacy and Stephen positioned their cameras and equipment to compete in WEFTEC’s National Operations Challenge virtually.
Stephen adds, “Andy Weddle and Zach Booth were a big help in setting up the network. Thanks to everyone who tuned in to watch us live.” The Brawlers were named National Champions in 2016 while competing as a four-person team. Lacy explains, “The change to a twoman team per event was a WEFTEC change due to the COVID-19 virus. I am hoping that things will return to normal and we can get the fourman team back together for next year’s competition.” Until next year, we send you congratulations via emails, phones, and virtual high fives.
The Brawlers competed in the Laboratory and Collections Systems events LIVE from the Roanoke Regional Water Pollution Control Plant via webcams while seasoned judges reviewed rules and recorded times from afar, and virtual onlookers cheered aloud in their offices. Results were announced - you guessed it - in a virtual ceremony on October 8. The Brawlers finished first in both the lab and collections July 2020 events, and placed first overall and were declared National Champions. What was the most difficult part about competing virtually? The duo says, “Making sure that we had a good network connection in a room that is not set up for internet was perhaps the most challenging aspect ... Communication with the judges also proved to be somewhat difficult. We knew this going in, so we reserved a lot of patience in working with everyone to make sure it was done right the first time.” The Brawlers are grateful for the support they have received from colleagues. Lacy remarks, “Mike McEvoy and Scott Shirley have always been huge supporters of Operations Challenge. Without them, I don’t think we would be able to compete at the high level that we do. Randy Williams, Catherine Holland and Zach Booth all stepped up to help us out and fill in as the proctors for the lab and collections event. They maintained contact with the judges while Steve and I competed. They August 2020fan support which is always a good thing.” also provided A Newsletter for the Employees of the Western Virginia Water Authority
Judges complimented teams on their willingness to compete under unusual circumstances and for their ingenuity, creativity, and commitment. Video and competition images courtesy of WEF.
September/October 2020
Announcements During September the Roanoke Regional Water Pollution Control Plant was awarded NACWA’s Silver Operations Award for excellence in plant operations. Congratulations to the team for your continued excellence in protecting the Roanoke River. Also during September, the Authority continued its commitment to leadership training by starting a course on Unconscious Bias focusing on topics such as implicit bias, diversity and inclusion. This four hour course is part of a larger training effort for employees in supervisory and management roles which has already included twelve hours of instruction this calendar year on Servant Leadership, Branding, Leadership Styles (DISC personality), Generational Diversity, Emotional Intelligence, Goal Setting, Coaching and Leading with Influence. The Education Team (Tara Poelzing and Robin Bailey) received their Roanoke Master Naturalists recertifications. Roanoke Master Naturalists is a community-based natural resources volunteer program which serves to develop a well-informed corps of volunteers to provide education, outreach and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Scott Shirley (COO-Water Quality) was named Chair of the Virginia Water and Wastewater Agency Response Network. VA WARN is designed to provide a utility to utility response during an emergency. VA WARN supports and promotes statewide emergency preparedness, disaster response and mutual assistance for public and private water and wastewater utilities in response to natural and man-made events. For example, VA WARN worked with the EPA to develop a special program to supply face masks to water and wastewater utilities through the FEMA disaster supply chain.
Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is Back
Over 37,000 pounds of prescription medications have been collected at area take-back events. These events, sponsored by the Western Virginia Water Authority, Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition, area law enforcement officers and the Drug Enforcement Administration provide a free, secure place to dispose of unwanted and unused medications and helps protect our waterways, prevent drug abuse and makes our communities safer. The DEA will now be accepting electronic vaping devices and cartridges at these take-back sites. Please note that lithium ion batteries must be removed before the devices can be turned in.
The next Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will be held October 24, 2020 from 10am - 2pm in the following parking lot locations. • Roanoke City: Towers Mall CVS; Solutions Center -2328 Melrose Ave; and 9th Street CVS • Botetourt County: Daleville Kroger; Ransone’s Drug Store - Buchanan • Salem: Super Shoes (Main Street); VA Medical Center (Bldg 143); Virginia State Police Headquarters • Roanoke County: Kroger at Tanglewood Mall; Kroger at Valley Gateway Blvd; Walgreens at Electric Road and Brambleton; Walmart Neighborhood Market at Plantation Road ; Hershberger Road Fire and Rescue #1 • Vinton: Kroger on Hardy Road • Franklin County: Walmart in Rocky Mount
1. Stewardship 2. Teamwork 3. Accountability On September 10 employees were invited to a virtual Core Values kick-off. During each of the three sessions, employees listened and learned from each other. This was the most attended employee event ever held in the Authority’s history. Revised Core Values, the cornerstones of the organization, were officially introduced: Stewardship, Teamwork, Accountability, Integrity, Respect, and Service or STAIRS. During the month of October, employees and supervisors were introduced to ReviewSnap, the Authority’s new evaluation software. Employees can now enter their goals, achievements, concerns and actions in real-time. While the format may take a little getting used to, support is available to help you navigate your way through the process. Contact the HR team or visit SharePoint for assistance.
“Development of new public and internal webGIS sites are underway," says GIS Coordinator, Erika Hoffman. Upgrades have been designed to improve the functionality of the Authority's Geographical Information System (GIS). There will be a bit of an overlap with the current and new sites, but there is a lot to look forward to with the GIS upgrade. Erika explains, "New sites will be mobile friendly and accessible from almost anywhere!”
Strategic Plan & Reviewsnap Separated at Birth
Lloyd Paige Water Ops
Does your co-worker have a famous twin? Email robin.bailey@westernvawater.org
A. Cooperate, collaborate and communicate as one team to achieve goals. B. Do the right thing, even if no one is looking.
GIS Update about Upgrades
Steve Harvey Comedian
September/October 2020
You Could WIN $25 Gift Card
Core Values CONTEST
Match the STAIRS
Best Wishes on a Happy Retirement
Jeff Tripp 31 Years of Service
Core Values Kick-Off
If Core Values are the company’s compass, the Strategic Plan is its road map. Besides using the Authority’s Core Values to complete performance evaluations, employees can also access the company’s Strategic Plan to match professional goals and achievements. You may think of strategic plans as boring—reading material designed to send you into a snoring sleep, but they are formulated to outline the company’s goals and objectives, setting time lines and plans to make things happen. The Authority’s five year Strategic Plan is divided into five categories: Organizational Management, Technology & Innovation, Sustainable Practices, Community Engagement and Resource Management. (The Strategic Plan is located on SharePoint, Reviewsnap and the Authority's website.)
4. Integrity 5. Respect 6. Service
C. Ensure customer interactions are professional; resolve issues efficiently and accurately. D. Operate and maintain our assets in a manner that is safe. E. Take Ownership and responsibility for your actions. F. Treat others as we desire to be treated; be considerate, appreciative and accepting of others’ opinions, needs and beliefs.
Match the Core Value to its correct definition. Email your answers to robin.bailey@westernvawater.org by November 6. All correct answers will be placed into a drawing to win a $25 VISA Gift Card.
A new evaluation process and revitalized Core Values are all a part of the Strategic Plan as are the plans to construct a new warehouse at the old ULS facility. It’s a plan in action. So, how can you use the Strategic Plan on your evaluation? Let’s say you have a video idea for the company’s website or social media page to educate the public about what we do. Those ideas could match objectives listed in Community Engagement. Maybe you want to develop a new employee training program or implement a train-the-trainer program. Those ideas could match objectives listed in Organizational Management. It’s been said that every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. Let's autograph our work. Use ReviewSnap, Core Values and the Strategic Plan to document your achievements and ideas. September/October 2020