June 17, 2009

Media Contact: Sonja Hall, community relations specialist, (253) 502-8223

The number one spot in the United States and Canada for water pipe tapping goes to Tacoma Water for the first time. The utility’s Tapping Team beat reigning 2008 U.S. champions and 2nd place World Water Cup title holders from Columbus Water in Columbus, OH with a time of one minute, 13 seconds during the American Water Works Association 2009 Conference held in San Diego, Calif.

Each team gets two attempts to complete the event within 30 minutes and the shortest time gets recorded. Together, employees Doug Reed, Bob Dimond, Geff Yotter and Michael McCaffrey drilled and tapped a water-pressurized ductile iron pipe, installed a corporation stop, cut and flare ¾ inch copper tubing with relative fittings to make connections at the main, a curb stop and finally at a meter yoke. The event requires speed, accuracy, agility and strength to accomplish.

“Our team feels on the top of the world right now,” said Water Service Supervisor Joe Hicks. “They put in numerous hours during the past year to prepare for this competition and even came in on their own time on Memorial Day weekend to practice. Their hard work paid off and we’re very proud of their accomplishment.”

The Tacoma Water Tapping Team recently took 2nd place during the regional competition in May held at the AWWA’s Pacific Northwest Section Conference in Salem, Ore. The team received $2,000 from that conference and an additional $2,000 from the South Sound sub-section, which consists of many companies, to compete in the national event.

As the new title holder, the Tacoma Water Tapping Team receives a free trip to the AWWA conference 2010 in Chicago to defend its title.