The CPW Electric Department was commended by the city of Orangeburg utilities for helping during the severe ice storm in mid-February. CPW crews traveled to Orangeburg to work 3.5 days to help restore power. Crew members left to right, Tony Farr, James Crum, Shane Lawter, Matt Williams, Jeremy Gossett and General Manager Jeffrey Tuttle.
Members of the Water Department were recognized Monday for their service to CPW customers repairing leaks during fall storms and below freezing temperatures. Left to right: Kevin Reardon, Jay Sloan, Frank Gunter, Todd Varnadore, Derek Stewart, Jerry Davis, Toby Spearman and General Manager Jeffrey Tuttle. Varnadore reported the gas leak at the Quik Trip convenience service center under construction at S. Hwy. 14 last Friday.
Jim Fair
A gas line ruptured near the site of QuikTrip at South Highway 14 near I-85 Friday afternoon. Todd Varnadore, a Greer CPW employee, recognized the smell of gas in the air and the utility departments neutralized the threat of danger and repaired the line.
The smell of a rotten egg permeated the air. “That’s exactly what a gas leak smells like,” Varnadore said.
A gas line was punctured when construction workers were moving a water line near the QuikTrip construction site. Varnadore was able to contact, Kevin Kinard, his department manager, and that set in motion for the repairs and a brief closure of several lanes of traffic on North Hwy. 14 near I-85.
Two valves had to be shut off and everybody – water, gas and electric – worked on it, Varnadore said. “I just happened to be the one to call the department manager. I had no clue it was as severe as it was,” he said.
CPW General Manager Jeffery Tuttle, at the monthly CPW meeting Monday, introduced members of the water department and Varnadore’s role in recognizing the gas leak and the crew’s quick reaction. But Tuttle had already planned on recognizing the water and electric departments for superb work in hazardous conditions.
Tuttle described the work Greer CPW crews performed for 3.5 days in Orangeburg County, virtually paralyzed with downed power lines during a severe ice storm, to help residents get their electricity back on line. “Any time you are out of service that period of time, a service truck can be a very welcome sight,” Tuttle said.
Tuttle said the water department responded to ¾-inch up to 8-inch pipe leaks during the unseasonably cold winter that set records for lowest temperature. “On one occasion the workers were responding to a leak in 8-degree temperature trying to get the water back on. I know I wouldn’t like to work in those conditions,” Tuttle said.