Sparta Adds 2 Connections To Sewer System Following Meeting With TDEC

Progress made on lifting Sparta’s sewer moratorium with a residential and commercial location added to the system.

Mayor Jerry Lowery said the city met with TDEC last week and left with positive results.

“That’s a plus for us that we have not been exed out right now, but that they are working with us,” Lowery said. “We are going to get through it together. We are going to stay committed to that.”

City Recorder Tonya Tindle who is serving as Interim City Administrator said the city should receive more feedback about the future of the sewer system in about three weeks.

“We’re waiting to see if that meeting has any other results of us having some more relief on the moratorium,” Tindle said.

“We’re excited with how it is moving forward as much as we can be,” Lowery said.

As for ongoing efforts to address overflow issues, the Board of Aldermen approved a some $27,000 bid for smoke testing Thursday. Lowery said the project will detect areas where groundwater impacts the sewer system.

Lowery said a start date has not been agreed yet but indicated that residents should receive notification in the coming weeks.