Planned, temporary shutdown of MLGW pumping station to begin Oct. 3

MLGW will begin a planned, temporary shut-down of its Mallory Water Pumping Station on Oct. 3. This temporary shutdown, expected to last until April 30, 2017, is required to perform necessary maintenance and will ultimately result in a more reliable water system.

Mallory Pumping Station serves customers in the downtown and midtown areas as well as north of downtown. The approximate north/south boundaries for this service area are Delano Ave./James Road and MLK Jr. Ave./Lamar Ave., respectively. Approximate east/west boundaries will be Hollywood Street and the Mississippi River.

Customers in and around the Mallory Water Pumping Station service area may experience some slight discoloration in their water during this time. This temporary issue is expected as the surrounding water treatment plants in the city begin to serve these customers water.

Customers who notice water discoloration should flush their pipes by opening the faucet farthest from their water meter until the water becomes clear. Discoloration is caused by sediment in the service lines; water remains safe to use and consume.

This planned shutdown was intentionally timed during MLGW's off-peak water demand season in order to minimize disruptions to customers. However, customers could experience some low water pressure issues, particularly in the spring of 2017.

Residential customers experiencing prolonged discoloration of their water or low pressure issues are advised to contact the MLGW Customer Care Center at 901-820-7878 to report these issues.

MLGW's Customer Care Center is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The MLGW Business Solutions Center is available to serve commercial and industrial customers. The MLGW Business Solutions Center can be contacted at 901-528-4270 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

As always, MLGW remains dedicated to providing reliable, high-quality water service to its customers.

Share the Pennies program gives neighbors chance to help each other

L to R: Tyrrell and Barbara Avant, a Project Care recipient,

listen as Myjareya Avant reads out loud.

Retired naval base cook Velma McDaniel and school crossing guard Barbara “Nanny” Avant epitomize the best of neighbors helping neighbors. “We all need help some time or another,” said McDaniel, 79.

McDaniel signed up for the Share the Pennies program three years ago. The program rounds up her monthly utility bill to the next whole dollar and allows her to donate the difference to MLGW and MIFA’s Project CARE. The most anyone will ever give in a year’s time is about $12.

Avant applied for Project CARE assistance in 2014. Through McDaniel’s support – and that of others –Project CARE helped Avant replace her gas furnace.

“When you get 66, you think your Social Security is going to take care of you, but it doesn’t,” said Avant, who is raising her grandchildren, Myjareya, 10, and Tyrrell, 9.

Project CARE’s energy efficiency program helps elderly and disabled homeowners with minor repairs costing $1,500 or less. Donations go towards such repairs as replacing heaters or adding attic insulation, double-pane windows or energy efficient doors.

When her furnace started acting up, Avant bought electric space heaters, but it pushed her winter bills to almost $300. “It is half that now,” she said after workers installed a new gas furnace in 2015.

As far as being a Share the Pennies giver, McDaniel never knew until now she was helping a family that lives only a few blocks from her in Frayser. “I was always taught if you were able to give, you are supposed to give,” she said.

The more customers give, the more families MLGW and MIFA can serve. So far, the program has helped 224 families. If you have changed addresses since signing up for Share the Pennies, please call 901-528-4887 so we can continue your contributions.

To sign up or make a one-time donation, go to mlgw.com/sharethepennies.