The merger of the Lenoir City Utility Board water department and the Martel Utility District water department will probably be a good thing for the MUD customers in the long run, but the process has been a little questionable.

As I understand the process from speaking to folks involved in the process, this is how it came about.

Both LCUB and MUD have to buy water from First Utility District (FUD) out of west Knox. MUD makes no water and LCUB can't make enough water to supply all their current customers. So a few months ago, First Utility informed MUD that as of December 2020, FUD would no longer sell MUD any more water. MUD officials claim their contract for water from FUD goes to 2025. FUD rejects this claim. While FUD intends to cut off water supply to MUD after December 2020, FUD has agreed to sell water to LCUB if they take over the MUD system. Why would FUD agree to sell to LCUB water, but not MUD?

Knowing LCUB can't supply enough water to supply MUD, MUD has considered contracting with Tellico Ares Service System (TASS) water district, for water. However, the TASS system is across the Tennessee river and would require a water line to cross the river which would be an expensive alternative.

So MUD is kind of between a rock and a hard place. Either be taken over by LCUB or have no water for their customers.

But there's more.

Also in the works is for LCUB to take over the FUD sewer line that serves part of the sixth district. About 15 years ago, FUD ran several miles of sewer system out of west Knox down into parts of Loudon County. Most of those lines are in the Martel, Lakeview and Beals Chapel area. LCUB will soon take over those sewer lines.

While the previous story discussed the possible water rates for MUD customers if LCUB takes over MUD, no one has discussed the sewer costs when LCUB takes over the FUD sewer lines. It's a well known fact that LCUB sewer rates are outrageously high, especially for those outside the Lenoir City limits.

Reports are that FUD really wanted to get rid of their Loudon County sewer lines to LCUB, but LCUB didn't want the sewer lines without the MUD water lines. Problem solved, FUD cuts off MUD's water forcing them to be taken over by LCUB. LCUB gets water and sewer lines for nearly nothing.

There's a lot going on in the sixth district with their water and sewer and everyone should be aware. The changes could be good or bad. Better ask questions now.