Oak Ridge Today

TDEC orders Oliver Springs to fix treatment plant or face fine

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Information from WYSH Radio

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has ordered Oliver Springs to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant or face a hefty fine. The state gave the town until August 31, 2015, to correct the problems outlined in the order, including several violations in the past few years dealing with system overflows and E. coli contamination.

The plant discharged water into Poplar Creek.

If the problems are not corrected by the end of August 2015, the town could face a fine of up to $175,000.

The state also issued a moratorium on adding any new sewer customers. [Read more…]

Council OKs parking changes, defers water rate increases

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The Oak Ridge City Council on Monday approved parking ordinance changes that prohibit parking on curbs and sidewalks, among other things, and members also postponed a vote on potentially significant increases in water and sewer rates.

The Council also voted 6-0 to approve $217,000 worth of projects—including additional sidewalks alongside busy roads—that are designed to make Oak Ridge safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. The seven projects will be funded with money collected from citations issued by four local red-light and traffic camera systems.

Council postponed a decision on the water and sewer rate increases until a special meeting tentatively scheduled for April 16. The total monthly water and sewer rate increases could range from 28 percent to 35 percent, depending upon a variety of factors, including the number of total gallons used.

There would be a minimum monthly increase of $7 for the first 2,000 gallons of water and sewer, but the increases could be much larger for bigger customers.

The first phase of the rate increases would go into effect May 1, and the rates would rise again in 2013.

[Read more…]