Mission

Personnel operating from this location deal with all aspects of the potable water distribution and sewage collection systems. This includes line construction and repair, making taps for both water and sewer services, and inspection and maintenance of nearly 700 miles of pipelines.

The most efficient and cost effective methods are utilized to maintain the system. Trenchless technology, including the use of underground television cameras to inspect pipe and locate breaks, and underground boring devices, is used on a daily basis to minimize disruptive and costly digging.

Although the normal working hours at this location are from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., workers are on call at all times to respond to emergency needs.

A completely new wastewater treatment plant was placed in operation in 2000. This plant utilizes a biological process to convert pollutants to settable solids, which are then removed by settling, then dewatered and sent to the landfill. The water is then filtered, disinfected by ultraviolet light, and aerated before discharge to the West Fork Stones River. The resulting reclaimed water is of very high quality, on par with drinking water standards of the 1970's.

Reclaimed water is utilized on-site at the treatment plant for irrigation and for plant process water. A 24-inch reuse water line has been installed from the plant to Broad Street to make this resource available for other uses.

The water supply for MWSD customers is drawn from the East Fork Stones River and from Percy Priest Reservoir.

The plant operates 24 hours per day, every day of the year, and consistently produces finished water that meets or exceeds all state and federal criteria for drinking water quality.

On an average day, 10 million gallons of water are softened, disinfected, filtered and fluoridated. Recent upgrades to the plant hydraulic system have increased the plant production capacity to meet the immediate demand, and engineering studies are underway which will provide the basis for further expansion by 2005.

Nine million gallons of potable water are contained in elevated storage. This storage helps to maintain the pressure in the system, and is available even during power outages.