City Manager's Bi-Weekly Report Vol 3 | Issue 1 | January 2019 | Page 20

Utility Systems Department Dedicated to leading the water utility industry. CALLING ALL CREATIVE KIDS FOR POSTER CONTEST » » What: St. Lucie County school students (public, private, or home school) in grades K-12 are invited to create a poster depicting a water conservation idea in the “Drop Savers” Poster Contest. » » When: Entries are due on March 1, 2019. Posters may be scheduled for pick-up by contacting Jenny Tomes at (772) 871-5131. » » Where: St. Lucie County » » Who: Port St. Lucie Utility Systems, in conjunction with Florida Section American Water Works Association (FSAWWA) » » Why: The contest teaches elementary-aged school children, and reminds middle and high school-aged teens, about the importance of water conservation. We feel that our best opportunity to conserve water is through a long-range education and awareness program. Details: Jenny Tomes, Utility Marketing Coordinator, is available to speak to classes about the importance of water conservation and help inspire ideas for poster entries. To schedule a presentation, contact Jenny Tomes at (772) 871-5131. City of Port St. Lucie employees will judge the posters on their message, creativity, and originality. A winner will be chosen from each participating grade level. Each winner will receive a $25 Walmart gift card and other prizes. The students will also be invited to attend a special presentation at a City Council Meeting where they will be recognized for their efforts. The winning posters will be submitted to the statewide “Drop Savers” Poster Contest, which will be held in mid-April. » » Check out last year's winners "PIGS" SQUEEZE THROUGH WASTEWATER PIPE TO HELP WITH FLOW Maintaining the cleanliness of a wastewater pipe sounds like an oxymoron— however, it's an extremely important part of Port St. Lucie's sewer system maintenance program. More than 1,000 miles of sewer main make up the vast sewer system, and over time, grease and debris build up in and around the pipes. The build-up impedes the maximum amount of wastewater flow through the pipes to the treatment plants. To make the flow more efficient, "pigs" constructed of various densities of foam, and shaped like the inside of the pipe, are propelled through the force main to loosen and push the grease and debris down the line where it will eventually be treated. An 8.5-mile stretch of sewer main, from Floresta Dr. to Bayshore Blvd. to Macedo Blvd., is currently being "pigged." This work will take between one and two weeks to complete, and during this time, customers will not be affected, however you may notice trucks set up at different lift stations on the route. Maintaining system efficiency and environmental compliance are imperative to providing a high level of service for our customers, and Utility Systems is doing it one pig at a time! 20 U T I L I T Y. C I T YO F P S L . C O M U T I L I T Y S Y S T E M S D E PA R T M E N T