The city fired the manager responsible for Tulsa’s water distribution system Monday. However his dismissal is not related to the safety of the city’s water system, officials said. DYLAN GOFORTH/The Frontier
The city of Tulsa has fired the man responsible for the upkeep and operation of the city’s water distribution lines.
Clayton Edwards, director of the Water and Sewer Department, confirmed Monday that Water Distribution Manager Richard Caruthers was relieved of his duties Monday morning.
Edwards declined to say why Caruthers had been let go but did say it had nothing to do with the integrity of the water distribution system.
“Customers don’t have to worry about their water because of this action,” Edwards said. “This does not affect the quality or safety of our water.”
Monday’s action had nothing to do with water line breaks, either, Edwards said. Water line breaks are down this year over last year, Edwards said.
Nor was the firing related to recent reports of sink holes in some Tulsa neighborhoods. Some Tulsa residents allege that contractors hired by the city to install sanitary sewer lines are responsible for the sink holes.
The city is investigating those assertions, but Edwards noted that Caruthers did not oversee sanitary sewer lines.
Caruthers’ job was to oversee the city’s 2,300 miles of water lines that run from the city’s water treatment facilities to customers’ homes.
Caruthers’ job will be filled temporarily by Eric Parker. Parker is a water services manager. He oversees employees who read water meters and perform other services related to water distribution.
