The Oak Ridge Town Council on Sept. 4 approved a package of measures to guide expansion of the town’s municipal water system, including a text amendment that requires new subdivisions near existing mains to connect to the system and an updated fee schedule that adds larger meter sizes and a wholesale rate.

Council moved on recommendations from the Water Advisory Committee and planning staff to make municipal water the predictable option for new development. Spencer Sullivan, chair of the Water Advisory Committee, said the committee unanimously recommended the connection requirement and that municipal connections reduce developers’ risk compared with drilling private wells. “The amendment requires new developments near existing municipal water mains to connect to the water system,” Sullivan said.

The text amendment establishes a sliding scale for when subdivision developers must extend municipal water lines based on development size; staff said the language mirrors an ordinance used previously in Stokesdale. The council voted to approve the amendment after a public hearing with no speakers opposed and a motion from a council member to adopt the change.

Separately, the council approved revisions to Appendix A of the Town of Oak Ridge Water System rules and regulations to expand the monthly base charges to larger meter sizes, add commercial-use rates and set a wholesale rate 10% below retail. Town staff said the proposed schedule was modeled on Forsyth County/Winston‑Salem practice and reviewed by the town’s consultant Envirolink.

Sullivan also told council the Water Advisory Committee is prioritizing engineering of a town “core loop” — an extension of the water main from Linville Road and Oak Ridge Road east to Highway 68, then south on 68 and north on Lemville back to the start — with the committee’s first phase aimed at serving Oak Ridge Commons. He said a proposal for engineering work should be ready at the council’s next meeting.

Councilmembers and staff emphasized the interim role of community wells for subdivisions not yet adjacent to mains and noted any construction and outreach will be funded through the water enterprise fund. The council received the Water Advisory Committee’s marketing plan, which includes two open houses planned for Nov. 13 and Jan. 10 so residents can learn about the new system.

The council’s actions direct staff to proceed with the amended ordinance language, implement the updated fee schedule, and return with engineering proposals and outreach materials. No additional borrowing for the water items was approved; staff said enterprise‑fund revenues will be used for system work.