HISTORY
The City of Cleveland, Board of Mayor and Commissioners, acquired the properties of the Tennessee Electric Power Company on August 16, 1939, and on this date established Cleveland Electric System.
Cleveland Water Works began its operation in 1895 under the direction of Commissioners of the Cleveland Water System. In 1959, the Board of Mayor and Commissioners instructed the Cleveland Water System to be under the direction of the Board of Mayor and Commissioners.
In March of 1976, the Board of Mayor and Commissioners, after years of research, directed the Cleveland Water System and Cleveland Electric System to merge operations. The new organization adopted the name of Cleveland Utilities. A Board of Public Utilities for the City of Cleveland was established in 1981, consisting of five members.
In a historical development in April of 2023, the CU Board and Cleveland City Council passed resolutions that marked a new chapter for Cleveland Utilities. The resolutions authorized Cleveland Utilities to enter the broadband business and form an Energy Authority. As part of this process, the Council made the decision to increase the number of board members from five to seven.
Cleveland Utilities continues to evolve, demonstrating a commitment to innovation and excellence in service delivery, always with the community's best interests at heart.
Cleveland Utilities is located in Cleveland, TN, and now serves approximately 34,100 electric customers, 34,600 water customers, and 21,200 sewer customers.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Cleveland Utilities is to provide our customers with excellent and reliable water, wastewater, electric, and supporting services through innovative business practices, a process of continual improvement, and a demonstrated commitment to our community and Core Principles.
VISION STATEMENT
Cleveland Utilities aspires to be an organization of the highest quality
collaboratively and responsibly to meet the evolving utility needs of
our community into the foreseeable future.
ELECTRIC
The electric division of Cleveland Utilities is responsible and dedicated to providing the citizens of Cleveland and Bradley County with a source of reliable and readily available electric energy. This is a responsibility that requires a staff possessing a high degree of technical ability to meet current needs, as well as building the system to meet the needs of future generations. As one of Tennessee Valley Authority's 153 electric distributors, Cleveland Utilities purchases power from TVA at 161,000 volts at two delivery point substations: East Cleveland and South Cleveland Substations. This power is transmitted through a network of sub-transmission lines, distribution stations, and distribution feeders until it is delivered to each of our approximately 33,300 customers. The safety and reliability of the energy delivered is a primary goal and responsibility of the electric division.
FIBER
Cleveland Utilities is currently building its state-of-the-art fiber optic system. This new network will enhance electric reliability and expedite the process of power restoration during outages. Additionally, CU will soon be offering optional high-speed fiber internet and telephone services to its electric customers through this network. The first customers are expected to be able to receive these services in the late summer of 2023, with the full buildout taking approximately 18 months before all electric customers will have access to fiber services. This project reaffirms CU's steadfast commitment to delivering top-tier services that enhance the quality of life for the community. CU is focused on not just meeting but exceeding the expectations of its customers.
WATER AND WASTEWATER
The water and wastewater divisions of Cleveland Utilities are responsible for and dedicated to providing water and sewer services for the City of Cleveland and a large portion of Bradley County. Source water from the Hiwassee River and Waterville Springs is processed at two water treatment plants. The water is clarified, disinfected, and then pumped through pipelines directly to the customer or to storage tanks. Wastewater is collected from the City of Cleveland at the wastewater treatment facility located on the Hiwassee River. It is then treated and discharged into the Hiwassee River downstream from its original withdrawal point. An intensive sampling and analytical testing program is utilized to ensure that the quality of the drinking water and the wastewater discharge meets stringent state and federal standards.
CORE PRINCIPLES
- Community: We value all people - our customers, our employees, their families, and the community in which we live, work, and serve.
- Continual Improvement: We value the process of continual improvement and its role in shaping our organization to meet the future needs of our customers.
- Ethical Standards: We value personal and organizational honesty and integrity and believe these traits are essential components of the utility business environment.
- Excellence: We value excellence and encourage our employees to strive for their personal and professional best.
- Inclusiveness: We value inclusiveness and respect for one another. We believe teamwork and collaboration are critical and each employee is vital to accomplishing our mission.
- Innovation: We value and embrace innovative business practices as we strive to remain at the forefront of service excellence.
- Reliability: We value our commitment to providing the reliable and essential utility services our community has come to expect and deserve.
- Responsibility: We value responsibility and believe we are each accountable for our personal and professional actions. Collectively, we are responsible for making our utility a top-quality organization.
- Safety: We value the importance of safety and a safe work culture. Safety will always be among our highest priorities for both our employees and the general public.
- Stewardship: We value stewardship and fiscal transparency. We are accountable for the efficient and effective use of the resources to which we have been entrusted.