Mattecheck works with the Water Bureau’s Unidirectional Flushing team. They flush out particles in our pipes, going around the Rose City to improve our customers’ water quality. With so many people at home because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mattecheck says there’s a constant flock of families curious about her work.
“This is such a concrete way to show how we use ratepayer money. By doing this work, we really are creating a more resilient system and ultimately better, fresher drinking water. It’s kind of cool to be a small piece to the larger puzzle, but a really concrete piece.”
“We really break up the routine of this COVID time. People get out and see something different. We’re trying to build relationships as well as trying to flush the pipes. It’s about working with the community and just interacting with as many people as we can. Especially the kids, they love to see a fire hydrant spraying water.”
COVID-19 hasn’t stopped the work but it’s changed how teams operate.
“During this pandemic we have increased our safety by wearing masks, maintaining physical distance from coworkers and the public, and wearing gloves. The Water Quality Communications Team made signs that we use to encourage people to ask us questions, but from a safe distance. Our goal is to keep ourselves and the community safe.”