BWL water-tapping team
repeats as state champion

For the second consecutive year, a four-person team from the Lansing Board of Water & Light took first place in statewide pipe-tapping competition.

The BWL team now advances to the national finals next June in Chicago.

The state competition was held March 2 in Auburn Hills. The winning team consists of these BWL employees: Remecho Sanders (coach), Mike Smith, Jake Spedoske and Luis Flores. Leon Flores is the team manager.

Sponsored by the American Water Works Association, pipe-tapping (also known as water-tapping) is a timed event. It involves tapping into a cement-lined iron pipe that holds pressurized water.

The iron pipe is first opened, and a copper tap is inserted. Once the tap is fully installed, the completed procedure is checked for leaks.

The team’s work is done entirely with hand tools and muscle power. The BWL’s winning time was one minute, 41 seconds.

BWL General Manager J. Peter Lark said of the team’s most recent state title: “For two years running, our water-tapping team has taken first in statewide competition. I’m proud of our team for many reasons, but mainly because the competition simulates the real-life work needed to install or repair municipal water lines.

“Mastery of water-tapping skills translates into delivering reliable, high quality service to our customers.”

With its 784 miles of water mains, the BWL each day provides about 23 million gallons of clean, safe drinking water to nearly 55,000 customers.

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