Hometown Heroes
Throughout the pandemic, our essential employees provided water and wastewater services to more than eight million New Yorkers — and more than half of all of our employees reported to work in person to ensure continuity of services. Whether in person or virtual, our staff demonstrated resilience, patience, and creativity as they all adapted to changing workplace protocols seemingly overnight.
What’s more, many of the accomplishments described in the newly released 2018 Strategic Plan: Year Three Progress Report were completed from April 2020 through April 2021. Despite an unpredictable year, we stayed accountable to our customers and stakeholders. When we set forth the initiatives in Strategic Plan 2018: Enriching Our Legacy, we were building on a strong history of strategic planning spanning more than two centuries. Our employees rose to meet the occasion with selflessness, innovation, and hard work.
We have successfully carried out our mission and vision during these trying times thanks to the diligent efforts of our employees to overcome unprecedented challenges.
Not only did our staff continue to advance our mission and vision, but many also lent their time and energy to NYC’s broad COVID recovery efforts through packaging food for homebound New Yorkers, manufacturing hand sanitizer, inspecting businesses for health and safety compliance, distributing face coverings in public spaces, and staffing vaccine distribution centers. New York City has a history of resiliency in the face of crises, such as 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy, and that resiliency is a testament to the spirit of the city and the fortitude of its workers.
Despite our best efforts, we, like much of the city, experienced tragic loss as a result of the pandemic. Several employees passed away, leaving behind grieving relatives, friends, and colleagues. Those employees are missed and their families will be in our collective thoughts and prayers.
