Tennessee American Water joined the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and Tennessee Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (TN-WARN) in a statewide effort to distribute cloth masks to water and wastewater utilities. The masks were provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide water and wastewater utility workers with necessary protection during the COVID-19 public health crisis.
“As essential infrastructure, water and wastewater systems are important for residents to have these services for hygiene, health and sanitation needs,” said Tennessee American Water Vice President of Operations Tony D’Augillo. “This collaboration of various agencies and utilities will help protect the safety of water utility workers as they continue to provide safe, clean, and reliable water and wastewater services to families and businesses across the state of Tennessee.”
TN-WARN identified key utilities in Nashville (Metro Water Services), Memphis (Memphis, Light, Gas and Water), Chattanooga (TN American Water), and Knoxville (Knoxville Utilities Board) willing and able to receive the mask shipment from FEMA and redistribute the masks to other regional utilities.