Grant could help extend sewer in

A state-administered grant using federal COVID-19 relief funds might be used to extend the sewer system in Greenback.

Mark Clinton, superintendent of Tellico Area Services Systems, said the project “checks a lot of boxes” with regard to how the state funding is restricted to specific uses.

The project, estimated at $1.9 million, would extend the system 2.95 miles into Greenback to service an estimated 114 homes and businesses, he said.

Clinton said he was asking Loudon County to make application for relief funds that would require a 35% match. More savings on the match could include a 5% reduction if the project was considered a collaborative effort.

“This would involve Loudon County, Greenback and TASS,” Clinton said. “That would make it a collaborative effort.”

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation recently announced the application process is open for non-competitive grants from the federal American Rescue Plan, which TDEC is partially administering for the state. The funds are targeted for improving water infrastructure.

The federal program was designed to help Americans recover from the pandemic. Tennessee received $3.725 billion, and the state’s Financial Stimulus Accountability Group dedicated $1.35 billion to water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure projects.

Approximately $1 billion was designated for the non-competitive, formula-based grants. The remaining $269 million will go to state-initiated projects and competitive grants.

Loudon County Mayor Rollen “Buddy” Bradshaw said he thought there was a good chance TDEC would approve the Greenback project because installing sewerage is considered an environmentally friendly project in line with the goals of the department.

Greenback has a problem getting septic systems to work properly due to soil conditions, he said.

Bradshaw said the plan also sounds budget friendly. At a 30% match, the cost to stakeholders would be about $600,000 divided between the county, Greenback and TASS.

“The big question in my mind is, do the people of Greenback want this,” he said.

Commissioner Van Shaver said Greenback residents rejected the installation of a sewer system decades ago.

“It didn’t fly back then,” Shaver said.

Clinton said the primary objection for many residents on septic systems is they would be forced to pay a sewer fee even if they didn’t want to hook up to the system.

He said he thought there were many residents — even some on septic systems — who would welcome the service. Some businesses, including a restaurant, wanted sewer extended, he said.

The project would actually be cost effective because there was a lift station installed at Greenback School years ago capable of handling capacity for many more users, Clinton said.

“That was a very progressive decision that will mitigate the cost of this project,” he said.

The greatest expense is to put a “grinder pump” at every home on the line. The pumps needed for 114 customers cost about $900,000, he said, and would be provided at no cost to customers.

“Typically when sewer is made available, the customer has to buy the grinder pump,” he said.

Switching Greenback residents from septic systems would have clear advantages.

“There are a lot of issues in Greenback,” Clinton said. “The ground over there isn’t good for ‘perking’.”

Clinton said he believes once Greenback gets the next 2.95 miles of system running there will be demand to extend lines even further. Sewerage would help increase property values and encourage further investment.

TASS already gets requests for sewer service from many water customers in Greenback.

Clinton said the project could take about two years from when the grant is received and hook-up is complete.

TDEC will review, evaluate and recommend grant awards within 30 days of receiving a complete grant proposal and application and will announce awards and execute contracts within 60 days of recommendations. Funds from ARP must be obligated by Dec. 31, 2024, and spent by Dec. 31, 2026.