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Madison County water and sewer leaders pursue ARC grant, river discharge permit and well projects
Summary
County water staff and contractors discussed an ARC grant opportunity, EPD approvals for river discharge and multiple well and tank projects to increase capacity and pressure in high‑elevation service areas.
Water and sewer staff and consultants briefed the Board of Commissioners on multiple projects intended to increase water supply, raise pressure in high‑elevation areas and expand wastewater capacity.
Rodney Shuler described two proposed production wells at Seymour and additional well work tied to potential booster tanks to resolve pressure in the county’s highest elevation service area. He said the county is awaiting an “permission to drill” letter from the state environmental agency for a high‑priority two‑well project and that if well production meets expectations a water tank may be required to establish a pressure zone.
Shuler also reported the county had received an EPD (state environmental regulator) approval for a proposed river discharge at the county’s Northborough wastewater plant and said the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) had identified the plant as a fit for a $2.5 million matching grant. He said that if the ARC grant is awarded the project would require a local 1:1 match and a likely total project budget near $5 million to cover river discharge piping (nearly 1.8 miles was mentioned in discussion), plant upgrades to meet BOD/DSS limits, and associated line work.
Shuler said repair estimates for the existing drip field were roughly $1.5 million and observed that repairing or expanding the plant could free up 40–47 acres of developable land currently occupied by the drip field. He also reviewed other proposed line connections and extensions (Roger Mill/98, Madico Drive to Highway 72, and connections toward Iowa and the new school site) and noted federal procurement and USDA funding processes advancing for some projects.
Commissioners asked for projected SPLOST balances, bid and procurement timing, and more detailed cost breakdowns; staff said they would provide follow‑up figures and procurement timelines.
Ending: Staff said they would return with detailed cost estimates, documentation of the ARC grant submission and expected timeline for the EPD and USDA procurement steps.
