Customers should prepare as well
 

MLGW is ready and asking customers to prepare for another round of severe weather. An arctic mass moving into the Southern and Eastern US is covering the entire Tennessee Valley and temperatures are forecast to remain below freezing Sunday, January 19 to Wednesday January 22.

MLGW Mitigation and Preparation

MLGW has the ability to produce and pump 6MGD more water than at this time last year because of additional wells which will improve our ability to respond to water pressure loss. Water production well motors have been insulated to ensure continued operation and prevent freezing up. MLGW crews will be monitoring production wells and pumping stations to quickly address any production issues from freezing wells. MLGW water and customer service crews will be on standby to repair any water main breaks and/or cut off water for customers experiencing broken pipes.

The TVA and MLGW systems are well positioned to meet the increased demand for power as a result of the cold temps. The MLGW distribution system is in a normal configuration with no major components out of service. The TVA system has a full complement of electric generation assets online and ready to respond, and they have secured additional power by contract should they need it.

Customer Preparation

MLGW asks that customers prepare their homes and businesses for the extreme cold by protecting water pipes and checking on automated sprinkler systems. Water pipes can burst anytime temperatures are below freezing. A burst water pipe or water heater is considered to be an emergency situation and could pose a danger of flooding. Customers are asked to have an emergency plan and take precautions to prevent pipes from bursting at their homes and businesses. Here are a few tips

Allow faucets to drip, open cabinet doors, detach hoses and insulate outdoor pipes while temperatures remain low.

· Vacant property owners should turn off the water at the street. Call MLGW at 544-6549 if assistance is needed.

· Businesses that anticipate being closed for an extended time should check periodically for broken pipes and/or leaking fire suppression systems.

· Know where the main water shut off valve is inside the home in advance of an emergency. It could be in a closet or under the sink.

· If pipes burst, cut off water at the street using a meter key. (These can be purchased at a hardware store.)

· Have food, water (approximately 1 gallon, per day, per person), and medicines sufficient for a three day interruption in case of emergency.

MLGW does consider burst pipes an emergency. Customers can call 528-4465 to have water turned off. However, depending on demand, it could take some time for crews to respond.

MLGW’s general winter tips can be found here: mlgw.com/wintertips.

MLGW has an Outage Center on mlgw.com which includes information on reporting and tracking outages as well as a preparedness guide: mlgw.com/StormPrep

Follow MLGW on social media for outage updates: Twitter @mlgw, Instagram @mlgwofficial

Memphis Light, Gas and Water is the largest three-service public power utility in the nation, serving the residents of Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee since 1939. MLGW consistently provides customers with rates that are amongst the lowest in the nation and stewards a water supply from artesian wells that is minimally treated. Actively engaged in promoting the prosperity of Memphis and Shelby County, MLGW supports the seven local chambers in its service area and makes doing business with local, minority- and women-owned business a priority. Deeply rooted in the community, its employees generously donate time and money in support of bettering the Greater Memphis area.