Spring Hill city board tackles water capacity expansions, 15-acre reservoir proposed
As Spring Hill continues to be one of the fastest-growing communities in the Mid-State, city leaders are battling with its ability to provide efficient water and sewer utilities to residents.
Assistant City Administrator Dan Allen, who was appointed last year to oversee the city's ongoing utility issues connected to Spring Hill's growth, presented updates Monday on city plans to stay ahead of growth issues.
This includes working with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) to find solutions to solve the problem.
BOMA: Extra $300,000 for Spring Hill water/sewer study draws concerns
"When we walked in and talked to TDEC, we said with our present rate of growth we've got approximately three-and-a-half years until our sewer plant is full and at capacity," Allen said. "And here are a whole bunch of ideas for ways we can address this and get expansion moving. We are on the clock, and we aren't like other cities who might have 5-8 years to move through it."
Allen presented a proposal for a new project, named Project SWIFT, which he said is a Strategic Water Initiative for Tennessee. The full presentation can be viewed online at Spring Hill's website at www.SpringHillTN.org/574/VIDEO.
This is intended to be a pilot project to utilize advanced water treatment technology to create new rules and regulations for water usage in Tennessee. At its heart, Allen said, is how it affects parks and local reservoirs.
This includes constructing a new 15-acre reservoir, which would also create additional city park space, as well as another 100 million gallons of water storage. The project would also serve as the city's main water source.
For Spring Hill, the project should be looked at as "a lake and an opportunity to do something different," Allen said.
"We are talking about a 15-acre lake that, while also helping with wastewater expansion and all of these other technical things that need to happen. It's also a new park and a new experience for families in Spring Hill. That's what we are wanting to bring to the table."
The good news, Allen added, is that the city has property off Derryberry Lane to facilitate such a project, including easements, piping, and other necessities.
In conducting research for the project, Allen consulted with Thomas & Hutten (formerly Dempsey, Dilling & Associates), as well as national firm Carollo.
As far as the next steps, Allen said the city will need to authorize proper funding, as well as negotiations for a water withdrawal permit with TDEC. He hopes the BOMA will have the resolution to discuss and vote on by October.
"There has been sort of a stand-off for about 15 years where that hasn't been fully negotiated," Allen said. "[City Administrator Pam Caskie] and I have had a number of conversations with folks and we're ready to get that appropriately permitted and put some of those issues from the past behind us. We want to make sure we do that out in the open, and that we have your blessing to go and do that."
Allen concluded by acknowledging the city's utility staff, saying that it has been "a rough year, but they really shined through."
"I thank them for what they've done because, I think, it's pretty extraordinary," Allen said. "It's a good sign of a team that's ready to win, how they respond to adversity. I can't ask for anything better, and it's been great."
BOMA appoints new city judge
Monday's meeting also included votes for a new city municipal judge, which included seven candidates.
The BOMA's initial vote resulted in four votes for Nichole Dusché and two votes for David Grimmett.
The board voted again on the top candidates, with Dusché resulting as the victor by garnering seven votes.
Following the vote, Mayor Jim Hagaman stated that Dusché would be formally sworn in during the BOMA's regular meeting in two weeks on Monday, Sept 19.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: BOMA tackles water capacity expansions, appoints new city judge
