PROCIOUS WATER OPERATOR TAKES LONG BREAK - Leaves Plant Making Water On Its Own

(08/04/2003)
An operator at the Procious Water Plant in Clay is reportedly in trouble for leaving his station unattended.

Early Saturday morning, members of the Clay-Roane Public Service District apparently discovered water plant operator, Bobby Burdette, was not on the job around 3 a.m. The Clay-Roane PSD owns the Procious operation.

The Public Service Commission requires an operator to be on duty when drinking water is being treated.

Board Chairperson Melissa Postelwait reportedly went to the plant to discover no one was on the job.

Board member Gary Whaling apparently greeted the returning operator. Burdette allegedly said he had taken a breakfast break and and was checking the tanks, but Burdette had apparently been absent between three and five hours.

An emergency meeting of the Clay Roane PSD was held with all five board members present. Burdette was given three days off without pay plus time off for hours he was not present. Burdette had reportedly received disciplinary action before.