#SheCanSTEM Kimberly Griswold

MLGW has 2770 employees; 752 (27%) are women. Of the 752 women, 143 (19%) hold STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) positions. On the second Tuesday of every month, we will introduce you to a different woman working in STEM at MLGW.

Kimberly Griswold started working at MLGW in 2018. She is originally from St. Louis, Mossouri, and has lived in Memphis for the past eleven years. She graduated from Alabama A&M University with a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry and has worked in the Environmental Science field for her entire career in both water and wastewater. 

Currently, Kimberly is our Water Quality Assurance Officer. She ensures that the Water Quality Assurance Laboratory personnel are constantly learning! We asked her a few questions to get to know her better.

Why would you encourage girls to pursue STEM careers?

A day in a STEM career is always different, I never get bored with my work because my day to day duties change based on the project I'm working on.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Always add the units!!

What do you do for fun?

I'm a member of the Memphis Runners Track Club. I am also a member of Friends of the Library and often volunteer at the library. I like to spend my free time reading and running.

Did you miss our other installments of #SheCanSTEM? Meet Arnisa Davis, Kelsey Seiter, Debra Higgins, Kerry Roy, Cynthia Jones, Juanita Ford, Shleah Whitlock, and Sandra Hicks.

Keeping You Safe: Gas Pipeline Inspection Digs

MLGW gas crews just wrapped up four pipeline inspection digs, which are a part of our safety and compliance with the Department of Transportation regulations.



We have a pipeline integrity management plan that we follow. It's all about keeping the system safe from explosions by preventing leaks. Crews are looking for corrosion along the steel pipes in order to catch any as early as possible and then correct it. We are usually able to clean and recoat the pipe to protect it from corrosion.



We are required to inspect pipelines every seven years, which we break down into 30-35 miles every year. MLGW surveys above ground starting in May, gathering tons of data to analyze, and pinpoints areas to inspect. Our system is looking great and we only had to do four direct inspections via excavation this year.

These natural gas pipelines are the backbone supply for all of Shelby county – similar to transmission towers for electricity. We get the natural gas from one of three suppliers - Texas Gas, A&R and Trunkline - then distribute it to homes and businesses. These transmission lines are much larger and under a much higher pressure than the lines going to individual residences.

A-Blazing Race Winners

 

 

The MLGW A-Blazing Race was held Friday, October 25 at the University of Memphis in conjunction with E-Day (Engineering Day.)  Due to rain, students raced indoors with batteries.  

 

 

Middle School Winners

• Best Notebook - Kate Bond Middle School
• Best Design - Arlington Middle School
• Speed - 1st Place - Kate Bond Middle School; 2nd Place - Snowden Middle School; and 3rd Place - Arlington Middle School

High School Winners

• Best Notebook - Lausanne Collegiate School
• Best Design - Overton High School
• Speed - 1st Place-  East T-STEM Academy; 2nd Place - Houston High School; and 3rd Place- White Station High School