Decherd making upgrades to water, wastewater facilities

The Decherd Board of Mayor and Alderman, which doubles as the city’s Water Board, conducts business on Aug. 8 in a meeting highlighted by a report that upgrades to the city’s water and wastewater operations are making significant progress.

The company Decherd hired to correct problems with its water and wastewater operations has made a significant difference in a short time, according to Board of Mayor and Aldermen members.

The board recently hired ClearWater Solutions from Auburn, Alabama, to handle the Water and Wastewater Department’s operations, maintenance and administrative duties, following an order from the Tennessee Water & Wastewater Financing Board to take corrective action.

Tim Mitchell, ClearWater Solutions regional manager, updated the board on Aug. 8 about the company’s progress, highlighting steps that have already been taken to upgrade the water and wastewater plants.

Alderman Larry Fraley paid tribute to Mitchell for the improvements that have been completed.

“From what I’ve seen, you’re doing a great job,” he said. “You’ve done more in three months than’s been done in three years.”

The state identified a number of concerns, including delinquent audits, no recent rate study and no management plan, according to the order.

The order says that Decherd, through ClearWater Solutions, must:

— Complete a review of its capitalization policy, including any recommended modifications.

— Complete a review of its debt-management policy, including any recommended modifications.

— Create a five-year capital-asset budget to be taken from the current capital-asset list and to include future anticipated needs.

— Complete a review of relevant utility fees, including connection and tap fees and any recommended modifications.

— Provide verification that all governing body members of the utility are in compliance with all relevant training requirements.

— Complete a review of the leak-adjustment policy, including any recommended modifications.

— Justify the inside and outside city-limit rates, including any changes to the rate structure.

— Update its auditing software.

The city has until year’s end to complete the rate study or provide proof that it’s being implemented. Provisions are also allowed for an extension of up to six months if the city hasn’t finished the process but shows good cause toward correcting its problems, according to the order.

Decherd Mayor Mary Nell Hess said ClearWater will be involved in the process for at least five years.

“The board agreed to get somebody in here who knows what needs to be done, and that was ClearWater Solutions,” she said recently.

Mitchell said the wastewater treatment plant had fallen behind in hauling solid waste to the landfill. He added that, as of Aug. 8, 50 tons had been removed from the site, and by year’s end, the total would reach 100 tons.

He said sludge pumps had been upgraded, and a digester decant valve that had been broken has been repaired. He added that the faulty valve contributed to the excess solid waste at the plant.

Mitchell highlighted other improvements, including clarifier, sludge-pump, grit-removal-system, aqua-aerobic-filters and air-diffuser repairs.

He said the asset-management plan is being finished.

Mitchell said solid-waste-hauling permits with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and Republic Services have been renewed.

He said toxicity tests were continuing, and discharge-monitoring reports have been forwarded to TDEC.

Mitchell also updated the board on the progress made at the water treatment plant.

He said the company received a sanitary survey from TDEC that is being reviewed, and steps are being taken to reply to the state agency.

Actuator valves listed in the survey have been repaired, rusted ball valves have been replaced, a solenoid valve on a filter has been replaced, blower belts have been changed, tanks and clear wells will be inspected by Southeastern Tank Inc., and monthly reports are being submitted to TDEC, Mitchell said.

He said ClearWater Solutions has a solid track record in managing other cities’ water and wastewater operations and often has additional contract extensions beyond the initial five years.

He added that the company is 12 years old and has two clients that have continued to contract with ClearWater Solutions from the outset.

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