Electric Commission Launches New Tech Tools
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WATER VALLEY – Water Valley’s electric system is stepping into the modern era this week as the Electric Commission rolls out new customer service tools and begins a major vegetation clearing project along city power lines.
On Wednesday, Sept. 24, the commission will officially launch an automated outage alert system and a new online customer portal. Both upgrades are aimed at improving communication with customers and making it easier to do business with the city-owned utility. The outage system will also reduce outage times.
Commission Chairman Brandon Presley said the outage system already proved itself in a real-world test on Saturday night when 13 customers lost power in the Camp Ground community on the north end of the city grid.
The new Water Valley Electric Commission customer portal includes a mobile app.
“The system worked exactly like it should,” Presley said. “It automatically dispatched our crews and alerted commissions before anyone had time to call dispatch. Then, once the power was restored, the outage map updated itself within 30 seconds.”
The HomeTown Grid system works automatically through smart meters, which send alerts when service is interrupted. Customers can also call or text the new 833-326-2398 number to report an outage or receive updates, and reports appear instantly on a live outage map at hometowngrid.com/watervalley, which shows the extent of service interruptions across the city.
The commission approved the HomeTown Grid contract earlier this month. Presley reported approximately 80 percent of residential customers in the city already have updated smart meters that will automatically report outages, and the remaining 20 percent will be upgraded in the coming months.
Online Customer Portal and Mobile App
Along with the outage system, the commission will debut a new customer portal and mobile app that Presley described as another huge step forward. The platform gives customers the ability to pay utility bills anytime and anywhere, monitor electric usage, receive account alerts a set up autopay for added convenience.
To sign up, customers will need their 12-digit account number, which is printed at the top left corner of their bill. The first time they log in, they will create a user ID and password to access the customer portal or mobile app.
The portal can be accessed at watervalley.utilitynexus.com, and customers can also scan the QR code published in the advertisement on page 14 of this week’s Herald.
“People have busy lives. This gives them the option to pay a bill from home or from their phone anytime,” Presley said. “It’s about making the system work for the customer.”
Vegetation Work Underway
Another major step is tackling tree limbs along the city’s power lines. Contract crews from Looks Great Services of Mississippi, Inc., an Alabama-based company, started Tuesday clearing 41 miles of rights-of-way. The bid, approved by the Board of Aldermen on July 18, totaled $327,994.20.
Presley stressed the importance of getting ahead of customer questions as rights-of-way trimming begins. “We are going to do our best to let people know what’s coming,” he said. “This isn’t just about keeping outages down. Limbs on the lines are literally conducting electricity and causing us to lose power. That’s not sustainable.”
The first phase of right-of-way trimming starts on electric lines east of Main Street that parallel Calhoun Street, Wood Street, Ridge Street, Martin Street, Jones Street, Boyd Street, Thorton Street, Edgefield Street, Mills Street, Daniels Drive, Buena Vista, Stephens Street, Ridge Street and Douglas Street. The contractors will also be responsible for removing all brush and debris, Presley said.
Mayor Tommy Reynolds said the project is being funded with part of the $1.5 million allocation the city received from state lawmakers during the 2024 Legislative Session.
“Obstructed electric service lines are a leading cause of power outages, and we want to provide the best possible electric power service for our citizens,” Reynolds said. “Our city is poised to grow and prosper, and we thank our dedicated city employees, members of our city council, and more importantly, our citizens for working to make our city an even better place.”
“These are big steps,” Presley said. “Our mission has always been about putting customers first, and this is proof of that. We’re modernizing the system so people in Water Valley can expect the same level of service as any utility in the country.”
