SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. — The Sumner County Board of Construction voted Nov. 19 to overrule a building-code director and approve a permit for a property owner who plans to haul water from a nearby hydrant to supply a new dwelling, county staff said.

Building-department staff told the board the applicant proposes using a portable tank filled at a hydrant served by Bethpage Water Works because a public water connection was not available at the property and on-site wells had gone dry. "The pump code 2602-1 says the water distribution system of any building or premises where plumbing fixtures are installed shall be connected to a public water supply," Speaker 2 said in presenting the department's interpretation of the code.

The board's discussion centered on two competing concerns: whether the code can practically apply on this parcel and the county's exposure to contamination or backflow-related liability. Speaker 1 said the county lacks local rules for certain well and storage installations and that, absent local regulations, state rules would govern. He cautioned that "there's lots ... of potential contamination getting water from a fire hydrant" if proper backflow protections are not in place.

The applicant described his current arrangement and storage capacity, saying he keeps "a 1,500 gallon tank in my barn" and hauls water to serve multiple dwellings on the property. County staff said they had a letter from the water utility indicating the utility board approved the arrangement but that staff had not confirmed technical details such as a backflow device and that the office had no documentation showing state-permitted wells on the site.

Citing appeal criteria under R112.2, staff told the board the most applicable factor was that the standard provision could not be made to apply on this property and presented the option to overrule the director's decision under that provision. The chair moved "to overrule the building-code director's decision of the R112.2 guideline under section b" and to approve the permit; the motion was seconded and put to a vote. The transcript records the motion and members' assent language but does not include a roll-call tally or named mover/second in the record.

The meeting minutes and the transcript do not record a formal roll-call tally or any conditions attached to the approval; the board did not specify additional required backflow devices or follow-up inspections during the recorded discussion. Staff noted the county could require the applicant to sign a hold-harmless or similar document and to provide written language reflecting the board's motion for the file.

Separately, building staff reported that the health and safety board's updates are being forwarded to the legislative committee and that Mark Harrison intends to place the matter on a December agenda.

The board adjourned after the action.