(L to R) Marketing intern Lonny Ying, Bradley Wilson of the Creative Arts Guild and Lori McDaniel, Dalton Utilities spokesperson.

During the 2011-12 school year, Dalton Utilities provided 3rd grade teachers in Dalton Public Schools and 4th grade teachers in Whitfield County Schools with resource packets for the program,  “I’m In The Know About H20,” which was designed to help teach students the importance of water conservation and preservation of drinking water sources.  Teachers in the 3rd and 4th grades at Christian Heritage also received the materials. This program was designed to help students understand that water is an essential and limited resource and what each of us can do to protect and conserve water in a fun and interactive atmosphere.

As part of the “I’m in the Know About H20″ program, students submitted artwork that highlighted important water conservation tips.   The artwork was judged by Bradley Wilson, Visual Arts Director for the Creative Arts Guild; Liz Swafford, executive director of Keep Dalton-Whitfield Beautiful, Utility marketing intern Lonny Ying and Utility marketing staff members Lori McDaniel, Marti Bryson and Heather Atkins.

The winning entries will be displayed on the Dalton Utilities website later this month.  For more information on water conservation, please go to www.dutil.com.

Workers repair a large pipe…one of many in Dalton Utilities’ underground network of water distribution and wastewater collection pipes.

By Mark Marlowe,  Senior VP of Watershed Services

Indispensable to jobs, the economy, our health and our communities, water runs through our lives in many ways. But do we truly appreciate the VALUE of water?

It’s fair to say that water is life. Up to 60% of the human body is water, the brain is 70% water, and the lungs are nearly 90% water. We are made of water, and we can’t survive without it.

Dalton Utilities customers pay a few dollars for 1,000 gallons of clean, drinkable water which passes all federal regulations.  We drink this water and cook with it. We use it for washing clothes, dishes and our bodies.  We water lawns and wash cars with it. It is plentiful and cheap.  In short, most of us take it for granted. 

The average American uses 176 gallons of water a day. Every drop that enters and leaves your home or business must travel through an extensive network of underground pipes.  Largely because of these buried pipes, Americans have access to safe and clean water and sanitation services.

The unseen hero of this story is the vast infrastructure — 800,000 miles of water pipe and 600,000 miles of sewer line — that transports clean water to customers any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and takes the used water back for treatment. These systems have worked silently for decades, in some cases more than a century, without major interruptions. But now, they need our attention.

A great deal of the water mains and distribution pipes that run underground in our country are quite old – some being over 100 years old!  A lot of this aging infrastructure was installed just after World War II, so, like the Baby Boomers who came along about the same time, these pipes have their own issues with aging and declining health!

Because underground pipes last a long time, water systems that were built in the latter part of the 19th century and throughout much of the 20th century have, for the most part, never experienced the need for pipe replacement on a large scale.  The dawn of an era in which these pipes will need to be replaced will continue for decades to come.

According to a study by the American Water Works Association, the cost of repairing and expanding U.S. drinking water infrastructure will top $1 trillion in the next 25 years – an expense that will likely necessitate higher water rates. Delaying work to rehabilitate infrastructure will only increase future costs. 

Locally, we have approximately 1,400 miles of drinking water mains (pipes) underground. Some of these pipes are huge – up to 42 inches in diameter – and a large percentage are over 50 years old.  In some locations, the pipes are even older! If we had to, as a community, replace all 1,400 miles of this pipe at today’s prices, the cost would likely be in excess of $500 million! At Dalton Utilities, we have invested in new and rehabilitated underground pipes over the last 15 years and will continue to make sure pipe is replaced at the most cost-effective point in its service life.

Even though Dalton Utilities’ investment in infrastructure has placed our community in a better position than others who have not updated their infrastructure, there are still many underground pipes in our water and wastewater system which will need to be replaced in an ongoing and never-ending process. The labor and materials to rehabilitate these underground pipes, as well as escalating costs to treat, distribute and collect both water and wastewater, will put upward pressure on water and wastewater costs even though they will be executed in a planned and frugal manner.

(This is second in a series of articles about Dalton Utilities’ water system that will be running in the next few months.)

OptiLink adds two new channels to its impressive HD line-up!  Now available on Channel 246 is A&E HD which features such hit shows as Storage Wars, Duck Dynasty, Breakout Kings, Hoarders, The First 48, Parking Wars, Billy the Exterminator and Last Chance Driving School….all available now in HD!

History Channel HD is now available on OptiLink Channel 249.  Now you can enjoy crisper, clearer HD versions of some of your favorite shows like American Pickers, Swamp People, Pawn Stars, Mudcats, Top Gear, Full Metal Jousting and Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy!

OptiLink’s HD tier is available for only $9.95/month and features these great channels plus…ABC* (Atlanta & Chattanooga), NBC* (Chattanooga), CBS* (Chattanooga), TBS, FOX* (Atlanta & Chattanooga), CW*, FOX Business News, WTCI PBS*, ESPN, ESPN2, FOX Sports, Golf, Outdoor Channel, NBC Sports, USA, TNT, Spike TV, Velocity, SportSouth, Bravo, Food Network*, HGTV*, FOX News, CNBC, NFL RedZone, ESPNU, MLB Network, NFL, E! and Syfy.  (Channels marked with * are free to OptiLink digital subscribers.)

For more information, contact OptiLink at 706-529-1313 or www.optilink.us

Dalton Utilities' Canoe Launch on the Conasauga River at Norton Bridge.

Area canoers may now float the Conasauga River in style! Dalton Utilities and the Conasauga River Alliance have constructed two canoe launch sites along the Conasauga River in Dalton, GA. The Conasauga River Alliance (CRA) built their canoe launch behind the Beaverdale Superette, located on the river on Highway 2 at the Whitfield-Murray county line. Dalton Utilities’ canoe launch site is located on Lower Kings Bridge Road in Dawnville on the river at the Norton Bridge.

Before these two launch sites were constructed, the only single public access point for the river was located in a relatively isolated area within National Forest Boundaries.

The two river access points provided by Dalton Utilities and the CRA consist of canoe launches, parking areas, educational signage and completed clean water projects that demonstrate solutions to stormwater and erosion issues. The CRA site captures runoff from a parking lot and road, and directs the water into a small rain garden filled with wetland plants. In addition, this site displays a technique to stop riverbank erosion through stabilization practices. The Dalton Utilities site displays a technique for a pervious parking lot, which can support the weight of vehicles while allowing rainwater to percolate through instead of rushing off and contributing to soil erosion.

For more information, click here.

In Dalton and Whitfield County, local residents spend an estimated $7 million a year on bottled water….when they could refill the same bottle of water they might buy for $1.69 at a convenience store up to 8,000 times from their tap…for the same cost!  Hard to believe, right?

Residents spend approximately $9.1 million dollars a year to purchase tap water.  If you didn’t have tap water and had to buy bottled water to replace it, it would cost a staggering $11.5 billion (that is billion with a “B”) dollars per year.  If we want to continue to have clean, safe water to wash our clothes and dishes, bathe in, wash our cars, fill our aquariums, run our factories, water our lawns and…..oh yes, to DRINK, then we must support our public water systems.  By the way…only 3% of water used in a household is actually used for drinking water!  

Nationally, people willingly spend an estimated $21 billion per year on bottled water.  This is almost as much money as is spent on maintaining and operating the ENTIRE public drinking water system across the United States – the system which drives every aspect of our economy!

So remember, the next time you purchase a bottle of water at the store, for the same investment, you could be buying the equivalent of 8,000 bottles of clean, safe water from your public water supplier.  Not only are you getting a much greater return on your investment, but you are also supporting the long-term health of our water infrastructure! 

(This is the first in a series of articles about Dalton Utilities’ water system that will be running in the next few months.)

During Cold Weather, Take Preventive Action

• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
• When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe – even at a trickle – helps prevent pipes from freezing because the temperature of the water running through it is above freezing.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55ºF.

To Thaw Frozen Pipes

If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Locate the suspected frozen area of the water pipe. Likely places include pipes running against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.

• Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt more ice in the pipe.
• Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, and electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device. A blowtorch can make water in a frozen pipe boil and cause the pipe to explode. All open flames in homes present a serious fire danger, as well as a severe risk of exposure to lethal carbon monoxide.
• Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you can not thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
• Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.

Your Best Bet: Don’t Let It Happen

There are three main causes of frozen pipes….Quick drops in temperature, poor insulation, and thermostats set too low. You can prepare by protecting your home during the warmer months. Here’s how:

• Insulate pipes in your home’s crawl spaces and attic, even if you live in a climate where freezing is uncommon. Exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing. Remember: The more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be.
• Heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes. Be sure to use products approved by an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc., and only for the use intended (exterior or interior). Closely follow all manufacturers’ installation and operation instructions.
• Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipes, and use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out. With severe cold, even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze.
• Before winter hits, disconnect garden hoses and, if possible, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house.

Mt. Rachel Star by Paula Plott Gregg

Dalton Utilities will light the Christmas star on top of Mount Rachel on December 1, continuing a tradition that has been a part of our community for over 70 years.   The star, owned and maintained by Dalton Utilities, is lit on December 1^st each year and shines throughout the holiday season through New Year’s Day.

 The Mount Rachel Star measures 40 feet in diameter and towers 65 feet above the mountain.  Over 230 bulbs give the star its glow, which can be seen several miles away.

 The original Mount Rachel Christmas star was built in 1935 by the late Carl McCamy, former superintendent of Dalton Utilities.  The original structure was a 30-foot tall wooden frame with 150 light bulbs attached to a pole.  The temporary structure was placed on top of Mt. Rachel each December.

 A local tradition, the Mount Rachel star is an integral part of our local Christmas celebrations. According to McCamy’s daughter, the late Ann Henderson, “The star was lit every year after 1935, except during the blackouts in World War II.  After my father’s death, my mother would light the star.”

 In 1947, V.D. Parrott, Jr., former Dalton Utilities’ president, and the Board of Water, Light and Sinking Fund Commissioners replaced the original wooden star with a permanent structure made of iron.  The star was completely overhauled in 2005 when Dalton Utilities’ personnel rebuilt the frame, replaced all the lights and rewired the structure, so that this beacon of the holiday season could continue to shine for future generations.

Mark & David Thomas with "Taz"

The DNR Wildlife Resources Division, in cooperation with Dalton Utilities, will be conducting two youth duck hunts on Dalton Utilities Land Application Facility located in Murray County, Georgia.

Dates:  December 16-17, 2011 and January 6-7, 2012

Times:   Friday, December 16 or January 6 at 3pm – 4pm

Saturday, December 17 or January 7 at Daylight- 2 pm

Age Range:  Children age 12-16 yrs old.

Legal Weapons:  Shotguns only with non- toxic shot

Restrictions:  Must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older at all times.

Deadline for entry:  December 9, 2011.  Applications must be received by 10:00am.  No faxes will be accepted.  Only one application per hunter will be accepted.  Hunters that send more than one application will be disqualified. All hunters will be randomly drawn for hunting areas.                                                         

Mandatory Orientation: All hunters selected for the hunt must report to check-in station at 3:00 pm on Friday, December 16 or January 6 for mandatory orientation, safety briefing, and assignment of hunting area.  Failure to report on either of these days will result in disqualification from hunt.

Applicants should mail the following items to reach the DNR office BEFORE December 9:

• A postcard with the following information for both youth hunter & supervising adult:
  1. Name
  2. Address
  3. Daytime and Nighttime phone number
  4. Birth date
  5. Date of preferred hunt (December 16-17 or January 6-7) or indicate either is fine
• An essay by the youth hunter of 100 words or less containing past hunting experience, why he/she wants to be invited to the duck hunt, and any other information that he/she wants to include.
• Hunt postcards and essay should be placed in the same envelope and mailed to::

Georgia DNR

Attn: Corporal Nathaniel Jones

One Memory Lane, PO Box 786, Calhoun, Georgia 30703-0786

This survey is part of the requirements of RP1162

– a federal program focused entirely on natural gas and pipeline safety awareness. Please take a few moments to complete the survey online at

www.dutil.com by January 30, 2011.

The survey is clearly marked on our homepage. By completing the survey, you will be entered in a drawing for a Chamber gift certificate. We will also be performing telephone surveys through the end of the year on this subject….just in case you get a call!

While on our website…..please take the time to sign up for our Emergency Notifications via email, blog subscription or Twitter. We will only use the email alerts to inform you in the event of an actual emergency. If you’d like up to date information on Dalton Utilities, please subscribe to our blog or follow us on Twitter.

ALSO…Check out the OptiLink Community Calendar on Channel 18!! You can enter events at optilink.us!!!

Georgians who are deaf, have speech disabilities, or hard of hearing can communicate with friends, family, and business contacts using the Georgia Relay Service. By using a special text telephone (TDD/TTY), the user may type his/her conversation. OptiLink customers who wish to communicate with people who are deaf, have speech disabilities, or are hard-of-hearing may dial 7-1-1 and have their conversation relayed via text. Text telephone users may also dial 7-1-1 to have conversations relayed to others. If you are a Georgia Relay user, please contact us at trs@dutil.com for additional information. The Georgia Relay service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

To make a Georgia Relay call, just dial 7-1-1

or go to their website at www.georgiarelay.org