Better Know A City Employee: KEN ANDERSON

On a snowy Wednesday, the Water Plant on Marx Dr. could have easily passed for some type of Zen Garden.  With the sounds of five taps running simultaneously in the state certified microbiological laboratory, I sat down with Water Superintendent Ken Anderson and his crew for the first edition of our new series, "Better Know A City Employee."
 

Ken was "blessed" to be hired as Water Superintendent of the City of New Buffalo 30 years ago, and has stayed because he believes that it is a"great community."

When I asked Ken what has changed the most in New Buffalo over the last three decades, he said most of his tenure, "was right in the middle of all the condo building, condo's going in right and left, with that brings a need for more water."  Ken is quick to point out that the Water Department has managed to make great improvements with the help of a dedicated group of individuals that includes "staff, engineers, and city council members to bring the water treatment facilities up to modern standards." 

With thirty years experience its safe to assume our Water Superintendent has probably seen some pretty crazy things.  When I asked, he had the date immediately, March 9th, 1998.   A huge storm had hit, knocking power out at the intake facility by the lake.  Even worse, it was blowing away the rocks that acted as a breakwater for the structure.  Luckily, they were able to turn the generator on and start pumping water.  The problem was turning the generator off in the evening, as the intake facility had water up to the door.  Ken climbed into the bucket of a backhoe and was lowered over waves, which he described as "twenty footers", to reach the entrance to the facility and turn off the pumps and the generator.  A daring move that earned him nothing more than "The Dumb Husband Award" from his wife.

Thankfully, that's not the only award Ken Anderson has won.  In 2013 the City of New Buffalo was the regional "Water Taste-Off" winner from the Michigan section of the American Water Works Association.  The taste off consists of a water sample in a quart sized jar.  It is judged on clarity, odor, and taste; "whoever comes out on top, wins."  The victory was especially sweet for Ken and his crew, because normally taste awards are won by communities using ground water, as opposed to New Buffalo which uses surface water. 

We talked briefly about the water crisis happening on the other side of our state, in Flint.  He expressed his condolences, and pointed out that in Flint they changed the source of water.  He stressed that in New Buffalo, they've had consistency.  Same source, same treatment process, same chemicals, and most of the operators have been with the department for many years.  "Combined we've got 60-70 years experience.  We work as a group.  So much knowledge between us.  If we have a problem we put our heads together and make it work."

Finally, we talked about the North Whittaker Street project, which the department "will gladly embrace."  There are two mains on Whittaker street, a nine inch main on the west side that is about 60 years old, and then a four inch main on the east side that they think is close to a century old, both of which are still in service.  They hope to put in a brand new main, a minimum of twelve inches, as well as direct service to buildings.  He mentioned it wasn't just the water, sewer lines, gas, electrical, all are fairly old.  He's looking forward to "getting it all upgraded, and up to kosher"

Thanks very much to Ken and the rest of the department for taking the time to talk.  We even got a tour of the water plant!  We'll have more fun facts from the Water Department and my interview with Ken on this blog in the future.  Until then, we'll see you next time on "Better Know A City Employee".