News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
City of Cookeville exploring options to extend sewer to residents on Highway 70 around I-40.
Water Quality Control Department Director Barry Turner said the area was originally annexed into the city around 2000. He said in the proposed plan of service, water would be extended to the area within 15 years of annexation and sewer would be extended based on the same criteria and standards used to determine the sewer expansion to underserved portions of the city.
“We look where they have septic tank failure, or where someone is driving it or pushing for development out there,” Turner said.”And that’s why we’ve been able to do some cost share agreements because we have someone that’s got some property they’re wanting to get sewer to and they’re willing to help pay for part of that.”
Turner said the proposed expansion would cost the city around $3 million. He said a hotel located in the area in question is located south of the interstate. The closest hook-up in that direction would be the truck stop on Highway 111.
Turner said part of the sewer extension would need to go under the interstate, which is a costly development. He said with developable land in the area, the city would hope to work out a cost-share agreement with potential developers.
