News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Livingston named one of 12 entities to earn a grant from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation for water infrastructure investments.
Mayor Curtis Hayes said the almost $1 million will be used to replace some 2,500 water meters in the Monroe and Alpine areas with automatic readers.
“Currently we’re doing the manual reading where personnel has to go to each individual meter,” Hayes said. “And due to sometimes the lack of employees, or if they find other jobs or sick leave, whatever the case, it puts a strain on the department when we have to get other folks to read those meters.”
Hayes said it can also create a more difficult job when there is no continuity in which employee reads which meter.
Hayes said in addition to alleviating labor strains, these upgrades will reduce energy consumption, conserve drinking water, and assist in managing real water losses. He said they will play a key role in helping the department detect any major leaks that require addressing.
“The next step in all of this is we’ve got the plans in with our engineers J.R. Wauford and Company,” Hayes said. “And we’ll be going to start letting some things out for bid, the Board of Aldermen will be on board with that. Then they’ll go through and get some of these approvals started and get some of these awarded, and then the construction will begin on changing some of these meters.”
Hayes said the State Revolving Fund Loan, along with ARP funding, starts as a loan and if you qualify there is a potential for loan forgiveness. He said they were able to get part of their loan forgiven.
Hayes said the stars aligned for Livingston with this program and he looks forward to making these positive changes.
