Metro Water Services outlines Nashville's water and sewer infrastructure and stormwater plans

Nashville's Metro Water Services is gearing up for significant improvements in water and sewer infrastructure to accommodate the city's rapid growth, as discussed in a recent community planning meeting. Steve Michieux, an engineer with Metro Water Services, outlined the department's current operations and future plans, emphasizing the need for upgrades to meet increasing demand.

Currently, Metro Water Services pumps approximately 10 million gallons of water daily and treats around 50 million gallons of sewage. The department serves a growing customer base, with a notable increase in new homes across the county. To address this growth, Michieux highlighted the importance of a capital improvement plan, which is set for an update in 2026. This plan will assess the infrastructure needs based on projected future growth.

A key aspect of the discussion was the requirement for developers to secure capacity letters for water and sewer services before any new projects can proceed. This ensures that developers are financially responsible for any necessary upgrades to the existing infrastructure, such as increasing pipe sizes to accommodate higher flow rates. Michieux clarified that while the term "partnership" is used, developers are obligated to cover these costs.

In addition to water and sewer services, the meeting also addressed stormwater management. Metro Water Services oversees stormwater for the entire city, except for satellite areas. The department is responsible for reviewing stormwater plans to ensure they meet regulations aimed at reducing runoff and improving water quality. Recent regulations have introduced low-impact development practices, which help manage stormwater more effectively.

As Nashville continues to grow, the proactive measures discussed in this meeting are crucial for maintaining the quality and reliability of water and sewer services. The upcoming capital improvement plan and the emphasis on developer accountability are steps toward ensuring that Nashville's infrastructure can keep pace with its expanding population.