Behind the Tap Spotlight: Water Production Distribution & Resources Technicians Terry Dorris and Josh Clanton

Meet Water Production Distribution & Resources Technicians Terry Dorris and Josh Clanton. As key players in CCWA’s operations, they play a vital role in keeping CCWA’s systems running smoothly, overseeing operations across four repump stations, five raw water pump stations, eight elevated tanks, and three water production plants, including W.J. Hooper, Terry R. Hicks, and J.W. Smith.

Terry and Josh handle a wide range of responsibilities, from routine maintenance to troubleshooting issues. At repump stations and elevated tanks, they conduct regular site checks to ensure everything is functioning properly. Their role extends to algae control in CCWA’s reservoirs, where they use copper sulfate to treat affected areas. Depending on the algae count, this process may involve loading copper sulfate into burlap sacks and applying it from a boat. When properly applied, copper sulfate disrupts the cellular processes of algae, effectively killing them and preventing further growth. By targeting algae at its source, it helps maintain the reservoir’s health, ensuring clean, safe water while reducing the risk of large-scale blooms.

Preventative maintenance is at the core of their work. Each week, they inspect and service generators at the raw pump stations, checking coolants and making sure everything is running smoothly. While they don’t spend much time behind a computer, they manage the ordering of necessary supplies and process work orders for tasks like replacing pump valves or sealing water lines, all tracked through JD Edwards, CCWA’s financial management system.

Scheduled maintenance is another essential part of their routine. Tasks are planned weekly, bi-weekly, and annually, and every three to five years, they oversee the draining and cleaning of water tanks to maintain cleanliness and safety standards.

In addition to these duties, Terry and Josh manage auto flushers in the distribution system. These devices are programmed to periodically release water from the system to maintain quality by flushing out stagnant water and ensuring chlorine levels remain consistent. The auto flushers are set to run and shut off automatically at specific times, making the process efficient and reliable. Terry and Josh ensure these devices are functioning properly to uphold water quality standards across the system.

Josh shared what he enjoys most about his job: “The people I work with in Water Production are great and make it enjoyable to come to work. We have fun and work as a team to make safe drinking water for the entire county.” Terry agrees, adding that he also enjoys the people he works with. Both Josh and Terry agree that one of the challenges of their job is the weather. “If there’s a big storm coming, we have to prepare quickly to get the generators and pump stations ready in case of a power outage,” they explained.

With almost 18 years at CCWA, Josh and Terry have cultivated a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Outside of work, Josh loves spending time with his family, often at the baseball or softball fields watching his kids play. He also enjoys going to the gym. Terry enjoys playing drums in his church worship band. #waterprofessionals