Warren Utility District Not Able To Fully Serve Spencer

Consulting Engineer Nathaniel Green found that the Warren County Utility District would not be able to fully serve the Spencer Water Utility District.

Green shared excerpts of a 330-page engineering report with the Spencer Board of Aldermen Thursday. Green said the distance to Warren County’s water source and the price impact to customers does not make it a viable option.

“I’m hoping once they review this documentation that they spend so much money for giving us the grants that they are finally going to say yes, let’s work and make this the thing that we do to get you the water that you need,” Green said.

Green said the report has been sent to the state recommending that Spencer instead use the Caney Fork River as its primary water source. Green said this project would require the conversion of an existing emergency water pump and line.

“My biggest goal in looking at overall water system health is making sure that everybody has a source that you draw from which is adequate,” Green said. “I’ve been up hear preaching since 2016 that we should make the river the source. I have letters from TDEC saying they agree with that, but then, occasionally, we get push back from another group which is what happened over the past year.”

The State Comptroller’s Office in March recommended the merger of the two utility districts. The Comptroller’s Office also required an engineering report over the system to be submitted by the end of the calendar year.

Green said once he receives feedback, he will share the findings to the board. Green said the city must also find a way to fund the project. Spencer has already been allocated $2 million for the project through Van Buren County’s state ARP funding.

The order came after the state office found concern with water sully and how the city government operated the system. Green said so far, the city has fulfilled what has been requested.