Wartrace may beat water repair deadline

Wartrace could have a new water supply months before the deadline levied last year by the state.

"A week from Thursday at 10 a.m. we have a pre-construction conference with Tullahoma," said the town engineer, Robert Stigall. "We should start work about two weeks after that."

Wartrace was told last year, after surface water found its way into the spring that was the town's water supply, that it would have to build a filtration plant or find another water supply. The decision was made to hook up with the Tullahoma Utilities Board. Since then, the town has been replacing old water lines and adding new ones in anticipation of the increased pressure from TUB's downhill flow. Environmental reports, changes, bid letting and awarding. ... all have kept the water department and the board of mayor and aldermen busy since April 1, 2008.

Some of the work on Highway 269 is complete.

"From Hickerson Road to Locke Road, that line is done," said Brian Smith, manager of the water and sewer department. He told the water board at Monday night's meeting that the line had been tested for pressure and bacteria and passed with flying colors.

"We should start tying customers in now."

The line between Hickerson and Red Hill Road is ready to be tested, he added.

The original plans had Wartrace connecting to TUB much sooner, and the FY 2008-09 budget reflected that. This, said town recorder Laura Gentry, has caused some problems. Besides not getting the higher income from increased water rates that will come with the TUB connection, the town has had to pay $16,734.68 in overtime this year -- 112 percent over budget. Most of it, she said, is because the department is required to test the spring four times a day, seven days a week.

Stigall estimated the project could be completed by May, months before the deadline set by the state. He told the board that "it looks good" for the Rural Development grant the city submitted to help fund the project, and that they should be hearing the results soon.

The board voted to recommend a resolution authorizing Wartrace Mayor Don Gallagher to apply for a Community Development Block Grant to pay for more water line work, specifically up Red Hill Road and the Union Ridge area.

Sewer problems

Stigall told the board the sewer work that needs to be done along Sunset and Smartt streets is going to cost about $50,000 to $60,000. Recent camera surveys of the sewer system showed broken and clogged tile, as well as tree roots and other obstructions. Wartrace Mayor Don Gallagher said the area has been a problem for a long time and it needs to be corrected.

"We've already had a couple of insurance claims where the sewers backed up into peoples' buildings," he said.

Smith also alerted the board to another potential problem at the "lagoon" pump station.

"The wells are in good shape," he said. "But the pump ..."

Smith said the pump is outdated and failing and parts are getting harder and harder to find. He estimated the cost to replace it at about $50,000.

"I've done everything I can," Smith said. "I just wanted to bring it to your attention."