Oliver Springs receives sewer grant, loan

Information from WYSH Radio

Oliver Springs got a big assist last week on several, much-needed sewer system repairs in the form of a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development grant of $2.99 million and loan of $4.47 million.

The money will help the town to meet the system requirements of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and operate its water and sewer systems properly.

The new money will go toward improvements in the sewer system.

A press release from Rural Development said the corrections will improve the water quality of Poplar Creek and eliminate the numerous overflows that occur in the drainage area of the creek when heavy rainfall takes place.

The preferred alternative consists of renovating about 40.5 linear feet of gravity sewer, renovation of roughly 107 manholes, replacement of 19 manholes, and major renovations at four pump stations and minor renovations at the remaining four.

Oliver Springs has been criticized by the state for its wastewater treatment, including fines in 2014 from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation in 2014 over problems at its wastewater facility.

(Rural Development press release) USDA Rural Development Area Director Joe Woody last week announced grant funding and a low-interest loan to go toward the renovation of the water treatment system for Oliver Springs.

“As part of RD’s commitment to strengthening small communities, improving water and waste disposal systems are always of top priority,” Woody said. “Ultimately, this will improve the functionality of the system and be more cost effective to run.”

Through RD’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program, Oliver Springs received a loan of $4.47 million and grant of $2.99 million to help the town meet the system requirements of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and operate its water and sewer systems properly and more efficiently.

Corrections to the existing sewer infrastructure will improve the water quality of Poplar Creek and help eliminate the numerous overflows which occur in the drainage area of the creek when heavy rainfall events take place. The preferred alternative consists of renovation of approximately 40.500 linear feet of gravity sewer, renovation of approximately 107 manholes, replacement of 19 manholes, significant renovations of four pump stations, and minor renovations of another 4 pump stations. Additionally, internal television investigation of approximately 17,400 linear feet of gravity sewer will be accomplished to complete the inspection process. 

Others participating in the event included U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann Field Representatives Tammy Merritt and Cindy Borshears, Oliver Springs Mayor Cecil Crowe, Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, and GRW Engineer John Burress.

USDA Rural Development is moving investments to rural America with housing, business, and infrastructure loans and grants to create jobs and strengthen rural economies with an emphasis to assist areas of persistent poverty. 

For more information on USDA Rural Development programs available in East Tennessee contact the Knoxville Area Office at (865) 523-3338, extension 4. Visit us online at www.rd.usda.gov/TN.