Report a Service Outage
What type of service outage/issue are you experiencing?
Electric Outage
Report an Electric Outage Quickly
If your location has lost power, report it immediately through:
The automated system uses the phone numbers on file to identify affected service addresses, so keeping your contact information current matters.
If you need to update your contact information call (731) 642-1322 or complete our online form.
Track Outages
View current outages in real time
View the live outage map showing reported power outages in your area, including status updates and restoration progress.
In the event of a widespread outage(s), visit our Facebook page for the most up-to-date information. During a large outage we make every effort to update our Facebook page regularly with restoration progress.
Power Restoration Process
At Paris BPU, we understand you rely on us to keep the lights on. When outages occur, our crews work as quickly and safely as possible to restore power. During major storms, restoration follows a proven, four-phase process designed to return service to the greatest number of customers first.
Phase 1: Repair High Voltage Transmission Lines
- Transmission towers and lines supply power to thousands of customers. They rarely fall but when they do, they must be repaired first before other parts of the system can operate.
Phase 2: Inspect/Repair Distribution Substations
- Distribution substations receive high voltage power from transmission lines and then disperse that power at a lower voltage to Paris BPU’s main distribution lines. Our 13 distribution substations serve over 21,000 customers across Paris and Henry County.
- When a major power outage occurs, Paris BPU crews inspect the substation to determine if the problem stems from the transmission lines feeding into the substation, the substation itself or if the problem is further down the line.
Phase 3: Check/Repair Main Distribution Lines
- If the problem cannot be isolated at a substation, crews then check our main distribution lines. The distribution lines carry power to large groups of customers across the county.
- Power can often be restored to large groups of customers once damage to distribution lines are repaired.
Phase 4: Examine/Repair Supply Lines
- If local outages still exist, crews next examine and repair supply lines. These lines deliver power to transformers that are either mounted on poles or placed on pads (for underground service) and can be found outside of homes, businesses and schools. Occasionally damage will occur on the service lines between the nearest transformer and your home.
- When the problem is in the supply lines, our crews will restore outages in the order that will restore power to the largest number of customers at a time.
- Service entrances, or the lines that carry power from the meter to the wiring inside your house, may be damaged as well. A licensed electrician will need to make those repairs to safely restore power to your home.
As you can see, restoring power after a major storm is no small task and is much more than just flipping a switch or removing a tree off a damaged line. When we work to restore power, we are often able to have multiple crews working on different parts of our system simultaneously, allowing for faster restoration times.
In the event of an outage please remember that our line crews will work tirelessly to safely restore power to the greatest number of customers in the shortest time possible and will keep working until the lights are back on!
Preparing for Severe Weather
Severe storms can knock out electricity, heat, water, and cooking capabilities. Preparing before bad weather hits—including assembling an emergency supply kit—is essential to keeping yourself and your household safe.
In West Tennessee, it’s no secret that the weather can be unpredictable. Winter ice storms, a tornado or a summer downpour after weeks of no rain can disrupt the flow of electricity to our homes, schools and businesses. Severe weather events like a tornado or winter storm can cause hazardous road conditions, downed power lines and lengthy power outages.
If power lines go down because of a winter storm or tornado, you may be in for an extended power outage as line crews battle the elements to find problem areas and restore service as quickly and safely as possible.
A severe storm can knock out power in your area, leaving you without heat, running water or a way to cook food. It’s a good idea to put together an emergency supply in case of an emergency. A basic emergency supply kit could include the following items:
- Battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio
- Water: 1 gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days, for drinking and sanitation
- Non-perishable, ready-to-eat, food
- Manual can opener
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First-Aid Kit – including prescription medications
- Tools: wrench, pliers, hammer, and screwdriver to turn off utilities
- Cellphone with car charger, battery pack, or solar charger
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
- Complete change of clothes for each person
- Cash and credit cards
- Photocopies of important family documents (insurance policies, identification and bank account records) in a waterproof, portable container.
- Paper and pencil
- Books, games, cards, or puzzles for entertainment (especially if you have children)
- Moist towelettes and garbage bags for sanitation
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, and other personal items
- Pet food and extra water for your pet
- Stay away from downed power lines or any type of utility equipment. Please note the location of the downed line or poles and call Paris BPU. Even lines that look harmless can be dangerous.
- Make sure that each member of your family knows where your power outage kit (PDF) is located and what to do if an outage occurs when you’re not home.
- Turn off all major electrical appliances that were on when the power went off, especially air conditioners or electric heating. You will want to leave one light switch on so you will know when your power has been restored.
- Food will last much longer in your refrigerator and freezer if the door is not opened. Please do not open the door to check on the contents. Food can last up to 24 hours if refrigerator/freezer doors remain closed.
- In the event of a major outage caused by an ice storm, tornado, or some other natural disaster, Paris BPU will broadcast messages with all information that is available via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram along with local media outlets.
Wastewater Service Outage or Issues
Report Water Problems Immediately
For no water, low pressure, discoloration, or water quality concerns, call (731) 642-1322 and speak directly with an operator. Do not leave a voicemail—water issues require live reporting.
Emergency Shut-Off Guidance
If water at the home needs to be turned off because of burst pipes, leaks, etc., the customer should:
1
Attempt to find a cut-off valve on the customer’s side of their water meter and possibly another cut-off valve at the customer’s house or building.
2
If the customer does not have or cannot find their cut-off valve(s) and a plumber is on site, the plumber may cut off the water by using the Paris BPU cut off valve located on the Paris BPU side of the water meter.
3
If a plumber is not available, the customer may contact Paris BPU during normal business hours. Paris BPU personnel will turn the water off at the Paris BPU water meter.
4
After hours and on weekends/holidays, Paris BPU will respond to cut water off only in extreme emergencies. If not an emergency, customer should contact a plumber.
During extreme cold weather periods, please consider the following tips to prevent freezing of water pipes within your home:
- Make sure the foundation to your house or mobile home is air-tight and that foundation vents are closed
- Disconnect garden hoses
- Leave a small stream of hot and cold water running from an inside faucet (when temperatures drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Make sure you and your family know the location of your home’s water shut-off valve. If a pipe bursts, shutting off the water promptly can help minimize damage.
Water Service Outage or Issues
How to Report Wastewater Problems
Call (731) 642-1322 and speak with an operator—do not leave a voicemail. Reporting procedures depend on whether the issue occurs during or after business hours.
Wastewater line blockage during business hours
1
Call Paris BPU to report the line blockage. Paris BPU personnel will respond to determine if the Paris BPU sewer main has a blockage. If so, Paris BPU will clear the main.
2
If the main is clear, the customer will be instructed to call a plumber to unstop the service line.
3
The customer/plumber is responsible for cleaning the service line from the house all the way to the Paris BPU sewer main (even if the service line extends into or across the street).
Wastewater line blockage after business hours (including weekends and holidays)
1
Call a plumber to clean out the sewer service line all the way to the main.
2
Once the service line is cleaned and a blockage still exists, call Paris BPU to report the problem.
3
Paris BPU personnel will respond to address any problems with the main sewer line.
4
The Paris BPU crew will not clean out the service line. The Paris BPU crew will only address problems in the main sewer line.
For emergencies
If wastewater is backing up into the customer’s home, please call Paris BPU to report immediately.
Line Blockages & Responsibilities
Paris BPU will inspect and clear blockages in the main sewer line. Service lines—from the home to the main—are the customer’s responsibility, even if they extend under streets or sidewalks. If wastewater is backing up into the home, report it immediately as an emergency.
Security Light and Street Light Outages
Report Non-Functioning Lights
To report a security or street light outage, call (731) 642-1322 and speak with a Customer Support Representative. Most lighting issues are resolved within 3 to 4 working days once reported.