Clayton crews work overnight to repair valves

Clayton public works crews worked overnight Sunday, Nov. 13, to replace valves on Main Street as part of an ongoing process to replace valves and fire hydrants in the city.

Jason Waldroup, City of Clayton public works director, said at a roundtable meeting with city officials Monday that crews worked over 12 hours and overnight to repair valves and a fire hydrant in order to minimize service disruption to nearby businesses.

Crews also worked downtown on Sunday, Nov. 20.

Waldroup reported that crews are working on identifying faulty valves in the system and will continue to replace valves and some hydrants at night so the restaurants will be able to stay open. He said this will help the city shut off water in more isolated areas for repairs in the future.

“We’re trying to get these valves operational,” Waldroup said at the roundtable meeting. “We’re trying to disrupt as few people as we can.”

Mayor Kurt Cannon and City Manager Trudy Crunkleton commended Waldroup and his crew for their hard work and dedication.

“I appreciate all that you’ve done to make that happen,” Crunkleton said about repairing the valves.

During the process to replace valves overnight Sunday, a planned water outage was scheduled and roads were closed.

South Main Street from Savannah Street (at Reeves) to Duvall Street was closed to through-traffic.

Water was temporarily shut off on Hamby Street; South Main to North Main Street from Shadyside Dr. to The Hush restaurant; Cottonwood; Hiawassee Street; Derrick Street; Highway 76 East to West from Old Livery to the Rabun County Public Library; Wall Street; Chechero; Reeves to Savannah Street and Duvall to Stavemill, including Stave Mill Apartments.

A boil water advisory was put into effect when service was restored, and that advisory was lifted early Tuesday.