Water Plant
WATER TREATMENT PLANT SUPERINTENDENT
Jeff Hawkins
(330) 872-1808
Raw water is taken from the East Branch of the Mahoning River at the corner of Starr Street and Riverside Drive, where it is pumped directly to the plant for treatment. Once at the plant, it is treated by flocculation, 2-stage sedimentation, fluoridation, filtration and chlorination. It also undergoes pH adjustment to be just on the basic side of neutral which is important for the use of a sequestering agent which inhibits corrosion of the pipes in the distribution system.
After treatment, the water is pumped to the distribution system and the 500,000 gallon elevated storage tank on Broad Street adjacent to the West Branch of the Mahoning River. The elevation of this water tower is what provides the working pressure for the system.
The superintendent and three operators staff the plant. The superintendent is at the plant Monday through Friday day-turn. The three operators are scheduled on a swing shift basis to cover day-turn and afternoon turn 365 days each year. The employees in the Water Distribution Department are qualified and scheduled into the water plant to cover shifts left vacant by training, vacation days, roving holidays, and so forth that are scheduled for the water plant operators.
The Position – The Water Plant Superintendent is a full-time, hourly working supervisor’s position, appointed by and working under the direct supervision of the City Manager or an assigned supervisor. The Water Plant Superintendent is responsible for:
- The efficient operation & maintenance of the City’s Water Treatment Plant and its related facilities;
- Providing assistance & supervision to plant operators;
- Overseeing, directing, & managing the daily operations of the Water Treatment Division’s personnel, equipment, facilities, projects & programs;
- Investigating customer complaints, as assigned;
- Assisting in designing & planning systems or facility maintenance & improvement projects;
- Assisting in the development of the City’s annual budget.
The Current Water Treatment Superintendent – Jeff is a lifelong resident of Newton Falls and a 1976 graduate of Newton Falls High School. Prior to his employment with the City, Jeff worked at Denman Tire Corporation for 11 years. Jeff started his career with the City in July of 1996 at the Water Treatment Plant as an apprentice Operator. In June of 1997, he transferred to the Water Distribution Department, where he spent 5 years as a Maintenance Relief Operator. In May 2002 Jeff was appointed to his current position as Water Treatment Plant Superintendent. Jeff has obtained Ohio EPA Class I, II, III Water Supply Licenses, EPA Lab Analysis Certification and a Certificate in Backflow Prevention. Through continuing education Jeff keeps abreast of new technologies and practices in the Water Treatment profession. Jeff lives in Newton Township with his wife Teresa and sons Matthew and Jeffery who is a graduate student at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida.
PLANT UPGRADE PROJECT
The plant upgrade project is complete and online for our customers. The upgrade gives us greater control on the purification process while also automating many procedures. If you, school class and or organization wish to take a field trip to see the new plant please contact the water plant at the above phone number for a tour.
