SUD Prioritizes Alto Road Station Repair

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At the Jan. 26 meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Sewanee Utility District of Franklin and Marion Counties, SUD Manager Ben Beavers said SUD has declared a temporary moratorium on adding sewer customers to the area served by the Alto Road pumping station on Roarks Cove Road.

In an inspection by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the Alto Road station was flagged for exceeding the allowed number of overflows. The facility was already scheduled for repairs, Beavers said. Since the inspection, SUD has replaced two of the pumps and more than half of the pipe. SUD plans to replace additional sections of broken clay pipe identified in a video camera inspection last year.

Commissioner Ken Smith asked if there were any lead pipes in SUD’s service lines. Lead residue in drinking water can result in serious health issues. 

Beavers said there were no lead pipes in SUD’s water mains, but some of the cast iron pipe laid in the 1920s had lead fittings. SUD tests for lead residue every three years, and test results have been well within acceptable limits.

A visitor asked if SUD had a policy providing for customers to make interest-free payments in the event the customer received a high water bill. In December, many customers received unusually high bills due to a longer than customary billing cycle. Beavers said in cases of hardship SUD has given customers up to 18 months interest-free to pay their bill.

The visitor recommended SUD notify customers by email in the event of billing anomalies in the future. SUD plans to update its email database to facilitate communication.

Continuing a discussion about leak insurance, Beavers estimated the cost to the customer at $1.55 per month. If SUD chooses to implement the program, all customers will be automatically enrolled. Customers will have the option to opt out by contacting the insurance company. Under the plan, the customer will not be required to pay for leaked water if the leak occurs on the line between the house foundation and meter, and if the customer can verify repairing the line. The cost of repairing the line and leaks inside the house will not be covered.

Under SUD’s present adjustment policy, SUD forgives half the cost of leaked water when the leak is between the foundation and meter. If SUD implements an insurance program, SUD will no longer offer adjustments. Customers who opt out will be responsible for the full cost of leaked water.

Tracy City and South Pittsburg water utilities plan to adopt a leak insurance program. Customers with questions should contact the SUD office or attend the next board meeting.

The board approved purchase of a new truck for the manager, cost not to exceed the budgeted amount of $26,000. Beavers said the truck he was driving, a 2006 Chevy Silverado, is no longer serviceable. The board declared the Silverado salvage. It will be offered for sale with the stipulation it must be towed from the premises due to faulty brakes and transmission problems.

Incumbent Art Hanson was declared winner of the commissioner election. Hanson will be sworn in at the next commissioner meeting on Feb. 23.