It is quite common to hear about inefficiency, waste, bureaucracy and so on about government agencies. And it is very rare to hear good things done by government agents. In this story, an efficient service and ethical behavior by a municipal employee exemplifies the public service excellence and a call to compile such instances.

Challenging Perceptions of Government Service

It is quite common to hear about inefficiency, waste, bureaucracy and so on about government agencies. And it is very rare to hear good things done by government agents. In this story, an efficient service and ethical behavior by a municipal employee exemplifies the public service excellence and a call to compile such instances. The objective of compilation is to recognize and showcase the good work happening in the communities in this environment of retributions and hatefulness in the world. This story will is posted on atamjitsblog.com so that worldwide audience can read and contribute to the compilation of good deeds happening around the world.

The Water Supply Challenge

We get service from an irrigation company to shut off lawn sprinklers in late fall and then start them off in spring. During recent opening ceremony, irrigation technician told me that there is not enough water pressure for the sprinkler heads to pop up and spread the water. His assessment was that the main water valve was not functioning properly (the valve that controls water inflow from street pipes to the home pipes). I called a plumber next day to check out the valve. However, the dude ruled out that there was no issue with the valve and handed me a bill for $264.88. The following day, I called Irrigation company, telling them that according to the plumber everything is fine with water flow and told them to send a senior technician to do the job. Before irrigation tech’s appointment, one night, water pressure got very weak while cleaning dishes after dinner. We desis clean dishes by hand, instead of using dishwasher. Well, this is one of the peculiar habit that will be a part of the Desis’ other peculiarities story.

Emergency Situation and the Importance of Water

That night, water inflow stopped completely around 21:15. Home Ministry issued an executive order to get water supply restored overnight, else I will have to fill and bring load of buckets from the neighboring home. You can imagine the urgency and pressure for me to get water supply restored overnight. Not having running water for toilet needs is one thing and on top of that, heaving multiple buckets of waters enhanced the pressure for me.

The City Responds: Exemplary Public Service

Water is the most vital elements to sustain life (that is why space researchers always focus on finding water on the Moon, Saturn, and other planets as a clue to find life in space). Yet, excessive water in the form of floods wreaks havoc and on the opposite spectrum, life becomes miserable for lack of water. It is expected that government agencies manage water supply effectively so that no citizen has to think about it. Some wise person must have thought about establishing an emergency water management system. This is an essential service provided to taxpayers, and we are thankful for this service as the story moves on. I called our city’s emergency water management number, and the kind dispatcher told me that a technician is handling another issue in your neighborhood, and he will be there at your home shortly. Well, Kevin (the city technician) knocked on our home door after 15 minutes. He said that sometimes, air seeps into city pipes and blocks water flow into the home pipes that can be cleared by opening the nearest fire hydrant. Further, he elaborated that if water flow issue is not external but inside the home plumbing then city cannot restore water inside the home.

Kevin opened the fire hydrant located at an across the street from neighbor’s home (you must have seen the Red fire hydrants in the neighborhood). Water started gushing with great speed and noise. Since it was a nice spring night, about a dozen neighbors gathered around the fire hydrant to watch the spectacle or in desi terms, a ਤਮਾਸਾ (tamasha).

Diagnosis, Resolution, and Ethical Conduct

After closing the hydrant, Kevin came back inside the home to check if water supply had restored, but it had not. He tried to open the main valve, but it kept on spinning. So, Dr Kevin’s diagnosis was that the valve is busted, and I have to call a plumber to replace the valve. At the same time, he offered to call his local plumber friend to install a new valve, and it will cost $200. Of course, I said yes, and was very grateful for his offer. He called his friend who came over to our home
in ten minutes and replaced the valve in five minutes. Walla!!! Water supply got restored in less than an hour. Oh phew!!! that was a great relief.

The main valve is in the basement. When the guys got to the basement to attend to the valve, they saw my bar and praised it. I asked Kevin if I can offer a beer to you guys, but he said, “no sir, thank you for the offer, we are on duty, so cannot accept any personal offer.” They could have accepted beer because there was no management watching.

So here is the punch line; quick response from the emergency dispatcher, promptly showing up at our home by Kevin, his offer to call his plumber friend to replace the valve and refusing to accept beer is a shining example of ethical integrity, responsibility, and just pure excellence of behavior by a public service representative. There are plenty of bad actors in the world who destroy lives by selling drugs and guns, Killing people by waging wars for the sake of religion and personal arrogance. However, as long as the likes of ethical Kevins and cohorts exist, the world will continue to survive blows from bad actors.

Reflection: The Value of Integrity in Public Service

Thanks to Kevin and his plumbing friend to get water flowing that night, otherwise I would have labored for hours, hauling buckets of water over the night.

One lesson learned from this story is not to rule out public services. And keep faith that majority of people in the world are decent, and they are there to help fellow citizens to overcome difficult situations.