2002 Winter Olympics

Public Utilities employees ready to welcome world event.

January 29, 2001

Department of Public Utilities employees are ready for the Olympics.

Salt Lake City looks and feels different. The downtown area is a hub of activity as the 2002 Winter Olympics draws near. The event will feature 3,500 athletes and, by some counts, up to 80,000 visitors per day enjoying the games and festivities. The games begin on February 8 and end on February 24.  After years of seeking the international event, the time to host the Olympics is quickly approaching, followed by the Paralympics beginning on March 7. Like the community itself, Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities (DPU)  is excited about its role in participating in this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Road closures, security fences and building-high Olympic-themed pictorials adorn the skyline. Workers scurry to complete Olympic preparations at the Olympic Village, University of Utah Rice-Eccles Olympic Stadium and Salt Lake Olympic Square in downtown Salt Lake City. Washington Square surrounding the historic City and County Building is being prepared to host thousands of visitors attending the outdoor festival. 

The Salt Lake Organizing Committee (SLOC) is working together with federal, state and local government agencies to make the games a success. Most notable is the large number of armed national guard troops and a stream of high ranking government officials reviewing the security measures. There is a strong presence of federal agencies representing all facets of government, including the FBI, EPA and CDC.

DPU has been a part of this effort.  Beginning with early planning, DPU has been involved in venue site selection and watershed issues. In 1999 a DPU security plan was developed and implemented, and during the past year, coordination with federal, state, county and city agencies has taken place in preparation to host the games. Additional security measures and training have been implemented since the September 11 terrorist attack.

A major effort over the past 5 years has been the tremendous construction activity leading up to the Olympics with I-15 reconstruction, Light Rail and various other large building projects, such as Gateway. All of the projects required coordination and plan reviews, construction management and inspection of DPU water, sewer and stormwater facilities. This effort was undertaken concurrently with other DPU capital improvement projects. The additional workload has been absorbed without additional employees.  Some overtime was necessary to cover the around- the-clock work schedules.

Last minute work, such as installing water and sewer hookups to Washington Square for the installation of flush toilet amenities, was fit into DPU's work schedule. DPU utility inspectors are helping with the myriad of Olympic related work in the downtown area, including the Medals Plaza.

By the end of January all DPU employees will be trained to welcome the world to Salt Lake City.  Dressed in city-issued blue ski coats trimmed in black and Olympic and Paralympic markings, DPU employees are prepared to do their part in making the games a success. The coats identify City employees both while on the job and after hours. Employees are an invaluable resource in spreading good-will and helping visitors seeking directions, information or help.

Twenty story Olympic figure skater.

During the games, besides their normal work schedules, some DPU employees will be assigned special tasks. Rescheduled shifts will ensure that normal utility work tasks will be accomplished along with Olympic related activities. Mindful that normal utility work will need attention while the Olympics and Paralympics are being hosted, personal leaves have been canceled during the months of February and early March.

Salt Lake City’s water service area covers over 135 square miles. Except for the downtown area, DPU business will be conducted as usual. The main office located at 1530 South West Temple, Salt Lake City will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday thru Friday; however, customers are encouraged to call rather than come to the office to take care of business. The Customer Service phone number is 483-6900.  In the event of an emergency, the 24-hour dispatch will be in operation and can be reached by dialing 483-6700.