Clayton Staff Help Protect Water Shared by Communities
Water connects communities in ways many people may not think about. The water used in one town today may flow downstream and be used again by another community tomorrow.
“We all share this water,” said Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator John Zamarripa, known by coworkers as JZ. “Water gets reused over and over again. It may come from upstream to us, and after we clean it, it goes back into the river for someone else down the line. That is why we work hard to keep it as clean as we can.”
Every day, Town of Clayton employees work behind the scenes to protect that shared resource. From treating wastewater before it returns to the Neuse River to monitoring water use across Town, staff work to keep Clayton’s water system safe and reliable for residents and businesses.
One major investment supporting that effort is the Town’s new Sam’s Branch Water Reclamation Facility, a modern plant that will greatly expand Clayton’s ability to treat wastewater. Zamarripa has watched the project grow from the early stages of construction to the nearly completed facility.
“When I first came out here, there were very few buildings,” said Zamarripa. “Now you can see how much work and planning went into it. It is a huge facility, and it is exciting to watch it come together.”
Clayton’s current wastewater treatment plant processes about two million gallons of wastewater each day. The new Sam’s Branch facility will expand that capacity significantly. The plant is designed to treat six million gallons per day initially with the ability to expand significantly as Clayton continues to evolve.
The facility also includes modern treatment systems and technology that will help operators monitor the process and keep water as clean as possible before it returns to the Neuse River. Zamarripa and other operators have already been visiting the site to become familiar with the equipment and layout. The team hopes to begin operating from the new facility permanently before the end of the year.
“The water that comes to us from homes and businesses is cleaned and returned to the river as safely as possible,” said Zamarripa. “When we do that well, we help support the environment and the communities that rely on the same water.”
While operators like Zamarripa treat wastewater before it returns to the river, other Town employees monitor the quality of the water residents drink every day.
Utility Compliance Technician Allan Henkel plays an important role in that effort. Each month, Henkel collects 35 – 40 water samples from stations located throughout Clayton. Testing water from multiple locations confirms that the water residents drink meets strict health and safety standards across the entire distribution network.
Sampling from different areas also allows staff to verify that quality remains consistent as water travels through Clayton’s pipes to homes and businesses. By collecting samples across Town, staff can track how water moves through the system and quickly spot changes that may need attention. The testing follows state and federal guidelines designed to maintain safe drinking water for communities.
“A lot of people may not see this work, but it is an important part of protecting the water people rely on every day,” Henkel said. “Each sample tells us a little more about how the system is performing.”
Henkel has worked with the Town for nine years and splits his time between field work and office coordination with the Utility and Billing Department. His sampling responsibilities allow the Town to monitor conditions at different points in the system and respond quickly if changes are detected.
Clayton is also participating in a multi-year lead testing initiative required by federal drinking water regulations. Water systems across the country take part in programs like this to confirm the materials used in service lines and continue monitoring drinking water quality across their communities.
“Initiatives like this help us keep residents informed and confident in their drinking water,” Henkel said. “It is one more way we stay accountable to the community.
As World Water Day approaches on March 22, the Town of Clayton is recognizing the employees who serve the community by maintaining this shared resource. From treating wastewater to monitoring hydrants and testing systems across town, their efforts help keep Clayton’s water safe, reliable, and ready to serve residents today and for generations to come.
