City of Newton Falls

WATER DISTRIBUTION SUPERINTENDENT
Joseph M. Capan
330-872-5656

The Water Distribution Division maintains approximately 45.8 miles of pipes which are from 2″ to 12″ in diameter in the City of Newton Falls, Newton Township and Braceville Township. The Water Distribution Division also maintains approximately 375 fire hydrants. The three Maintenance Relief Operators all relieve in the Water Plant for vacations, roving holidays, sick leave, schooling and tests. The Maintenance Relief Operators have to be lab certified at the Water Treatment Plant, have at least a Class I Water Supply License, a C.D.L. license, Backflow Prevention Certificate, a thorough knowledge of the Water Treatment Plant and the Water Distribution System, and know how to operate a backhoe. There are approximately 1924 water customers in the City of Newton Falls and approximately 632 water customers outside the City.

The Distribution Department maintains the backflow program; takes routine and special purpose bacteria samples; installs, maintains, repairs and tests water meters; answers complaints; inspects service line connections; makes new water line taps up to 2″; inspects new construction jobs; fixs some service line breaks and all water line breaks; marks digging locations for Ohio Utilities Protection Services; rototills, fertilizes and seeds yards from repair work; adds new valves and replaces broken valves; adds, repairs, replaces, maintains, flushs and flow tests hydrants; performs meter rechecks as well as water turn-ons and turn-offs. Other responsibilities include maintaining equipment and shop; operating valves to determine which ones work; flushing lines to maintain chlorine residuals; take chlorine residuals routinely; maintaining the park’s and cemetery’s drinking fountains and yard hydrants; maintain roads from water breaks and repair work help asphalt when they are ready; and measuring new valves and curb boxes, logging all measurements.

The supervisor is responsible for the yearly budget; monthly reports to City Council; monthly reports to the Environmental Protection Agency. The supervisor also tracks the Backflow Program, makes all purchases for the department, updates maps, reviews blueprints. Other responsibilities include working on block grants and Issue II grants, grant writing, updating the C.I.R. reports, attending meetings and training. Also important to the operation of the Water Distribution is overseeing construction jobs, and advising on line extensions. Many logs are maintained by the supervisor, including bacteria samples, complaints, comp time, depressurizations, work orders, gallons flushed, meter tests, new service taps, waterline breaks, etc.

The Position - The Newton Falls Water Distribution Superintendent is a full-time, hourly working supervisor’s position that is appointed by and works under the direct supervision of the Manager or an assigned supervisor and is responsible for:

• The efficient operation & maintenance of the City’s water distribution system;
• Scheduling & supervising the work performed by the Water Distribution Division of the Public Works Department;
• Updating the Manager and/or his assigned supervisor on projects & assignments;
• Recommending purchases, as needed;
• Investigating customer complaints;
• Assisting in the development of the City’s annual budget;
• Overseeing other related projects and/or contractual services;
• Evaluating the condition of the system & recommends improvements, as needed; and
• Reviewing system improvements to assure compliance with applicable standards.

The Current Water Distribution Superintendent – Joe Capan began his service with City in 1991 as a Maintenance Relief Operator in the Water Distribution Department. He was transferred to the Wastewater Department in 1993 and worked there until he was promoted in 1994 to the position of Water Distribution Superintendent. Joe’s past work history was mostly in construction. He worked as a laborer, labor pusher, grade checker, grade foreman and foreman. He also attended Hocking Technical College. Joe holds the following licenses and certificates: Commercial Drivers License, certificate of competency from a backflow prevention course, Class I Wastewater Operator’s License, Class II Water Distribution Operator’s License, and Class III Water Supply Operator’s License, and EPA Lab Analysis Certification.