Cookeville’s Acquisition Of Double Springs Utility District Going Well

It’s been one year since the City of Cookeville acquired a portion of the Double Springs Utility District.

Water Quality Control Director Barry Turner said it was something the city had been looking at for years since the area was annexed. He said the goal was to have all city water customers paying the same rate.

“For the customers out there it gets them a cheaper rate because it gets them what all the other city customers are paying,” Turner said. “And now we would be the water and sewer provider in that territory. We don’t have a lot of sewer in that territory yet, but it makes it easier for us to provide sewer when you also do the water.”

Turner said the transfer process went very well. He said the Double Springs Board worked with the city to ensure the 535 customers’ names and addresses matched up.

Turner said now that the city owns that portion, they are making plans for sewer upgrades. He said that includes the recently-approved Mine Lick Creek Road sewer project.

“One thing the way that contract was worded is we’re making the last payment for that territory so this week we’ll be making that last payment,” Turner said. “(…) We’ll be making upgrades to that line and getting it to where it will have fire protection. There are some other areas in there that need fire protection as well.”

Turner said they will likely be making those upgrades over the next five years.