Each year on March 18th, DU joins with other natural gas utilities to recognize National Gas Utility Workers’ Day. This day was selected because of the 1937 natural gas explosion in New London, Texas that prompted additional measures to keep workers and customers safe. We remember and honor the many who lost their lives in that terrible accident – but also celebrate the men and women who supply and deliver this vital energy alternative to our customers here in Decatur – and across the nation.

Why is it so VITAL that every Alabama be counted in the 2020 Census? Census data affects the amount of funding Alabama receives for programs that affect health care, education, housing assistance, infrastructure development and more. An accurate count will ensure that the state receives its fair share of funding for these important programs. It also determines allocation of the 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. To avoid losing one of our representatives, every Alabamian needs to participate in the census and be counted. It only takes a few minutes. Here's more information: https://youtu.be/bcE5wXH17Os and https://census.alabama.gov/why-it-matters/ #AlabamaCounts

Decatur Utilities management has been made aware of a social media post and subsequent press conference statements made by Mayor Tab Bowling regarding a perceived lack of communication regarding Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) and DU’s ongoing plans to address them. It is unfortunate that Mayor Bowling has elected to communicate in such an unprofessional and misleading manner. As we do with each incoming city administration, in January of 2017 we invited Mayor Bowling and City Council members to an overview of our operations, which also highlighted our biggest challenges and issues. The exact issues Mayor Bowling questions in his post were addressed with him at that meeting and then again on January 14, 2020. At this most recent meeting, we emphasized the significant progress made in the 10-year wastewater system improvement plan, which was formalized in 2013 to address SSOs. Phase I of that plan called for significant lift station replacement and pipeline upgrades to add capacity in areas with the highest concentration of SSOs at that time; Phase II, which began in 2019, calls for an increased level of collection system rehabilitation. The DU board and Decatur City Council have authorized expenditures in excess of $60 million dollars over the past 10 years to address this issue. We have seen a significant reduction in SSOs in basins where this rehabilitation work was concentrated and where new lift stations were installed based on the previous engineering study. Due to historic amounts of rainfall in recent months, other sewer systems in the state – including many of our neighboring utility systems – are struggling with this issue. Despite this information being publicly available on the ADEM website, the local media has singled out DU in its coverage. To characterize DU and its leadership as unresponsive is unfair. This issue has been a priority for more than a decade now – and we will continue to address it. We have been transparent with the Mayor, the council and the media. While the current ongoing engineering study may prompt an acceleration of rehabilitation efforts in certain areas, it will still not be an overnight fix. This issue should not be leveraged for political capital by the Mayor or anyone else on the City Council. DU has acknowledged the issue and residents of Decatur should know we will take the steps needed – and expend the funds necessary – to continue working toward reducing and eliminating future SSOs. However, these improvements are funded through DU wastewater rates – not tax dollars – so we must also be mindful of keeping rates affordable and competitive. Again, this is not an overnight fix and will take time. Ray Hardin, General Manager Decatur Utilities

Steven Williams, electric field superintendent for Decatur Utilities, has been honored by the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association (TVPPA) for outstanding professional achievement. Williams recently earned TVPPA’s Certified Safety Coordinator (CSC) certificate by completing a rigorous, comprehensive course of study. TVPPA is the non-profit, regional service organization representing the interests of the 154 consumer-owned electric utilities that purchase wholesale power from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).

Congratulations to the men and women of the Decatur Utilities Water Resources Group and Water Treatment Plant (WTP). For the second-straight year, the WTP was named the Best Operated Plant in the State of Alabama among Surface Water Plants > 60 Million Gallons Per Day. The 2019 award was presented by the Alabama Water Pollution Control Association. DU’s WTP also received the Six-Year Area-Wide Optimization Award presented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPS) and Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) for 2013-2018. These awards recognize the outstanding operational practices that in place to ensure that DU meets or exceeds all state and federal regulations for water quality.

SmartHub, DU's mobile app for end-use customers is undergoing a bit of a facelift. Customers will see the new-look SmartHub app available as an update in the Apple Store or Google Play Marketplace the week of Oct. 28. With a touch, swipe or tap, DU customers can pay their bill, check on service interruptions, communicate with DU and much more. The functionality and features of SmartHub will remain unchanged, but there will be new navigation to help users access the features they need more quickly and easily. SmartHub's new look features a revamped home screen that presents the most important information - like your bill amount, utility usage and possible outages - at a glance. The new home screen also features navigation that is consistent with native apps. The roll out starts the week of Oct. 28th. If you don't immediately see the upgrade available in the app store you use, keep checking back.

Yes, winter is fast approaching. NOW is the time to a checkup around the house to make sure your home and heating/cooling system is in tip-top shape for maximum efficiency. Check out these tips and find even more HERE.

Decatur Utilities has contracted with PowerGrid Services for its 2019-2020 tree trimming cycle. PowerGrid trucks with this logo will be seen working in various areas of Decatur over the next 12 months.

DU is celebrating Public Power Week, Public Natural Gas Week and Customer Service Week. As a public utility, our focus is on you the customer. Our mission is to provide safe, reliable utility services at the lowest possible rate and meet the needs of our customers and employees. Today's focus is on the importance of being LOCAL. DU is owned by City of Decatur, but we operate autonomously. That means we have our own board of directors, management and employees. Decisions are made here locally by people you know and who have your best interests in mind. Tuesday's Focus: #PublicPowerWeek DU was formed in 1939 to serve the City of Decatur with safe, reliable electric service. We partner with TVA, our wholesale supplier, to deliver electricity to more than 26,000 homes, businesses and industries throughout town. Because we are public power, we continually reinvest in maintaining and improving the electric grid so your service is reliable and provided at the lowest rate possible. We can't control the weather, but when storms strike and cause power outages, personnel including linemen, substation crews, engineers, dispatchers and others respond to get service restored as quickly as possible. Wednesday's Focus: #PublicNaturalGas Did you know that natural gas is a clean, safe and economical energy choice for heating homes and businesses, cooking, heating water and fueling business and industrial processes? Because DU is a public natural gas provider, we have local control over rates and make board/management decisions with the customer in mind. That keeps rates low - with no sacrifice in our commitment to safety and reliability. The availability of natural gas is a huge factor in both economic development and residential growth. Plus we are always willing to come talk to your school or civic group about natural gas safety - just give us a call! Thursday's Focus: #CustomerServiceWeek Customer service extends from the front office to the field. Whether one of our CSRs is helping you establish, terminate or transfer service....or a billing rep is taking your payment...or one of our crews in the field is responding to a power outage or other utility emergency - we are ALL dedicated to providing you with the best service possible. Our Mission: To provide safe, reliable utility services at the lowest possible rate and meet the needs of our customers and employees.

Decatur Utilities will begin its annual natural gas leak survey tomorrow, Tuesday, August 13th. Decatur Utilities is conducting a quality control survey of the natural gas system to ensure public safety and the proper operation of the gas lines and meters. This survey is required by the Federal Department of Transportation-Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) and The Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC). The survey will be checking for leaks in natural gas mains maintained by Decatur Utilities and will be checking for leaks in service lines around homes and businesses in selected areas in Decatur. Gas mains and business districts are surveyed annually and customer services are surveyed once every five years. This year's residential area to be surveyed includes: SW Decatur: North of 4th St SW; East of Memorial Dr SW; NW Decatur: East of Memorial Dr NW; NE Decatur: All; SE Decatur: North of 4th St SE & Tower St SE This project involves the entire Decatur Utilities natural gas system and will involve a slow moving vehicle (approximately 5 MPH) in streets, alleys and highways. A portion of the work may be conducted at night when traffic is lighter. Some parts of the gas system are only accessible by foot by a technician using handheld gas detection instruments. The survey work will be conducted by Heath Consultants Inc. of Houston, Texas, a specialist in gas leak detection. Vehicles operated by Heath Consultants Inc. will have signs on the vehicle identifying the company and identifying them as a Decatur Utilities contractor. In order to check for service line leaks, the Heath Consultants employee will require access to customer property and the gas meter. Heath Consultants employees will have identification and will explain their purpose for being on private property. During this survey, gas leaks found on Decatur Utilities equipment will be repaired and gas service restored. If gas leaks found are not on Decatur Utilities equipment, the homeowner or business will be notified and gas service will be disconnected until repairs are completed by the homeowner or business. It is anticipated this work will be completed by December 13, 2019. For additional information, please contact Jerry Parker, Measurement and Compliance Supervisor, by e-mail at jparker@decaturutilities.com or by phone at (256) 552-1404. Heath Consultant Logo: For more information contact: Joe Holmes, Communications & Public Relations Coordinator Telephone: (256) 552-1444

John Beard, DU's Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent, has been recognized with the 2019 Hatfield Award, presented by the Water Environment Federation (WEF). The award is in recognition of the dedication, contribution and professionalism Mr. Beard has demonstrated to furthering the advancement of the wastewater field during his 27-year career. It was presented by Eileen O'Neill, Executive Director of the WEF, at the Alabama Water Environment & Alabama/Mississippi Section of the American Water Works Association's Joint Technical Conference held recently in Mobile, Alabama. The Hatfield Award was established in honor of Dr. William D. Hatfield, Superintendent of the Decatur, Illinois Sanitary District, who was President of the Central States Sewage Works Association in 1944-45 and served as President of the Water Environment Federation in 1958-59. WEF is a world-wide not-for-profit association that provides technical education and training for thousands of water quality professionals who clean water and return it safely to the environment. WEF members have proudly protected public health, served their local communities, and supported clean water worldwide since 1928. Ray Hardin, DU General Manager, and Tom Cleveland, DU's Water Resources Manager, offered their congratulations on Mr. Beard's outstanding accomplishment.

DU's Natural Gas Dept. was presented with the 2018 APGA SOAR Bronze Award for its efforts in promoting System Operations and Reliability. Decatur Utilities was recognized recently as a recipient of the System Operational Achievement Recognition (SOAR) Award – presented by the American Public Gas Association (APGA) in recognition of DU’s efforts to improve its operational capabilities, overcome challenges, and adapt to its changing environment. Gary Borden, DU operations manager, and Jimmy Evans, gas/water/wastewater operations manager, were on hand at the APGA Annual Conference to accept the award. Out of approximately 750 APGA members, Decatur Utilities was selected by its peer utilities on the APGA Operations and Safety Committee. The award reflects DU’s demonstration of excellence in system integrity, system improvement, employee safety, and workforce development. System integrity refers to the natural gas distribution system performing its overall intended function safely, efficiently and effectively. System improvement refers to keeping the natural gas system well maintained and up-to-date. Employee safety refers to systems that exhibit excellence in programs that stress educational involvement and accountability. Workforce development refers to a focus on creative recruitment, training, education and development practices. APGA President and CEO Bert Kalisch offered his congratulations to the Decatur Utilities team. “DU serves as a model for all other natural gas utilities in the country,” Kalisch said. “APGA is proud to recognize DU and is confident in its continued success.” DU General Manager Ray Hardin expressed his appreciation for DU’s recognition and commended the DU employee team as well. “Decatur Utilities takes natural gas safety and system integrity very seriously,” he said. “We appreciate being recognized by APGA as a SOAR award recipient.” Photo cutline: Gary Borden (L), DU operations manager, and Jimmy Evans (R), gas/water/wastewater operations manager, accept the 2018 System Operational Achievement Recognition Award presented by the American Public Gas Association.