TDEC Finds Sewer As The Highest Priority For Sparta’s Infrastructure Money

Sparta will likely use its state infrastructure COVID money for sewer improvements instead of water line replacements.

City Administrator Brad Hennessee said the state has recommended that Sparta’s uses its allotment to fix overflow from heavy rain events.

‘We were hoping to be be able to include it in our paving program, and our in-house needs are more water distribution line orientated than the sewer,” Hennessee said. “But, we will make do with what it is. We can adapt.”

Hennessee said the state’s scorecard reviews the city’s finances, water and sewer system’s. Hennessee said the sewer system was found as the highest priority. Hennessee said the city now has to submit the sewer improvements for state approval to be able to use the TDEC funding.

Hennessee said the preliminary estimates show that the project would exceed the $1.2 million of available funding. Hennessee said the city will likely start the project in phases, so the entire cost would not absorbed at once.

Hennessee said the city was aware of the overflow issue. Hennessee said several improvements have been over the years.