Gainesville Regional Utilities

After the recent demolition of a local house, safety concerns arose due to the house’s electric and gas meters, along with some low-hanging power lines. GRU’s Location Technician for Utilities, Ashton W., quickly assessed the scene and identified the issues. He swiftly corrected the problems and prevented potentially serious injuries. Great work, Ashton, and thank you for keeping our community safe! You can call 8-1-1 to have your underground utility lines marked for FREE. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eTCp7erS

Florida’s beautiful springs, rivers, and lakes are all supported by our vital aquifer, which also provides drinking water, supports agriculture, and powers industry. At GRU, we are committed to conserving this essential resource. Through a federal grant secured in partnership with the Suwanee River Water Management District, we’ve optimized water usage between our Deerhaven (DH) and Deerhaven Renewable (DHR) plants. Since June 2024, DH has sent over 75 million gallons of treated water to DHR for use in its cooling towers. This innovative water-sharing system, made possible by the grant, reduces our groundwater withdrawal by 100,000-200,000 gallons per day. By working together and overcoming challenges GRU has made a significant impact on preserving our aquifer. 

We are in the thick of storm season and managing tree debris around your home is crucial. After a storm passes, be sure to pile any fallen branches or yard waste in your driveway or yard, keeping it clear of utility poles. This simple step helps keep our crews safe and ensures a smoother restoration process. If you see a tree that poses a risk to a power line, please submit a request for tree trimming: https://lnkd.in/dAMPXUwC

Last month, GRU hosted the Youth Energy Academy in partnership with Duke Energy Corporation. Nineteen local students attended the event, which featured virtual reality experiences, presentations from our IT Department and GRU lineworkers, a solar car competition, and an activity from PK Yonge’s robotics team with their first-place robot. BMW of Gainesville showcased one of their solar cars to the attendees, as well. The students learned about the different departments of GRU and received great hands-on experience.

Last week, GRU hosted the Damage Prevention Council of N.E. Florida. The DPC brings together utility leaders, Sunshine 811, locators, excavators, and other damage prevention stakeholders to share ideas and find solutions for safe digging. With Florida experiencing unprecedented growth and activity, these discussions are more crucial than ever to ensure everyone’s safety. Remember to call 8-1-1 before embarking on an outdoor project and have your underground utility lines marked for FREE. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eTCp7erS

Gainesville Regional Utilities is comprised of hardworking, dedicated employees who are committed to delivering safe and reliable services to more than 100,000 customers in Gainesville and the surrounding area. GRU is the only utility in Florida that provides electric, water, wastewater, gas, and telecommunications services under one roof. Learn more about how we do it in this video! To sign up for utilities, please visit: www.gru.com/welcome

🚿 Every drop counts! Cutting down on shower time saves water and helps conserve this precious resource. Make a difference, one shower at a time. For more savings tips, visit: www.gru.com/summer

GRU would like to recognize the first-grade class at Kate Sullivan Elementary School in Tallahassee for sending thank-you cards to the GRU lineworkers who helped restore power after tornadoes caused severe damage to Tallahassee’s electric grid in May. GRU crews helped replace more than 430 broken poles and 175 transformers. Pictured is lineworker Chris M., one of more than 16 GRU employees who provided mutual aid.

📣Now Hiring: GRU is hiring for a Temporary AMI Meter Installer. This is entry-level, manual labor installing meters and endpoints for electric, water, and gas services. A successful candidate must be willing and able to work in a fast-paced environment, have a valid driver’s license, and put forth their best effort every day. To learn more about this job and apply, visit: https://lnkd.in/eS6HThfj

When a storm threatens Gainesville, GRU mobilizes quickly, with all employees assuming “gray sky” roles to ensure our community stays safe and connected. During Hurricane Debby, with wind gusts up to 47 mph and nearly 7 inches of rain, GRU faced a record number of downed wires and about 20 broken poles. From Sunday through Wednesday, our teams worked diligently to restore power to 25,000 customers while also managing increased flows at our water reclamation facilities around the clock to minimize disruptions. As we prepare for an active 2024 storm season, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Lafayette Utilities System (LUS), City of Newberry, the City of Starke, and the City of Alachua for providing crucial mutual aid this week. Together, we remain ready to serve our community.