by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer
“Replacing the altitude valve in the water tank at St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School could increase water pressure in the Midway community by six to eight psi,” said SUD Manager Ben Beavers at the March 22 meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Sewanee Utility District of Franklin and Marion Counties.
SUD has budgeted for a pressure-boosting station to address low water pressure in Midway since 2011. Easement difficulties stalled the project. Replacing the altitude valve in the SAS tank could be a far-less-costly and far-easier-to-maintain solution, Beavers said. “There would be no mechanical upkeep.”
The system functioned without an altitude valve before the water line from the SAS tank to Sewanee was increased from six inches to 10 inches. The larger line caused a drop in water pressure, making the valve necessary in order for the SAS water tank to fill properly.
In a January inspection of the SAS water tank, SUD learned the altitude valve was faulty. The tank no longer filled to capacity, causing a reduction in water pressure for customers in Midway.
The altitude valve will cost approximately $10,000, compared to $40,000 for the Midway pressure-boosting station, Beavers said. In the event the altitude valve does not remedy the problem of low water pressure in Midway, SUD will continue with the plan to install a pressure-boosting station. Beavers received approval from the state to extend the date of completion called for in the design plan, to avoid further delays if the pressure-boosting station project goes forward.
Looking at finances, Beavers said water sales in February were significantly lower than the same month in 2015, resulting in SUD receiving less revenue than anticipated. Beavers in part attributes the lower water sales to a decrease in water loss from residential leaks. The new automated meter reading technology installed by SUD expedites detection of in-home leaks. Beavers explained, “It’s good for customers and for us.”
Beavers pointed to a possible source of new revenue from expansion in the Cooley’s Rift subdivision. Developer Brian Youngblood recently contacted SUD about plans to install infrastructure in 40 lots in the Franklin County section of Cooley’s Rift. Many of the lots in Cooley’s Rift receive water from Monteagle. A 1990s lawsuit ruled the lots in Franklin County fell within SUD’s service area, regardless of whether or not the lots were within the Monteagle city limits.
The board agreed with Beavers that it was prudent for SUD to serve the new customers created by the expanded development rather than relinquish water service privileges to Monteagle. Beavers will contact Youngblood and invite him to submit a request for water service application.
The SUD board meets next on April 26.
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