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Spring Hill board hears work‑session on alternative sewer systems, vested projects list and water‑reclamation plant compliance
Summary
Staff requested about 90 days to develop local standards for alternative sewer systems after citing a TDEC report that found 26% of similar systems statewide flawed; they warned of significant equipment failures at the water reclamation plant and a $65,700 civil penalty under a TDEC consent order (initial payment $13,140 made).
Spring Hill staff used the Sept. 2 work session to request time to develop local standards, specifications and an implementation timeline for alternative (stand‑alone) sewer systems being proposed for developments. Dan Allen and Ryan Lemunian said they were studying state guidance and would visit neighboring systems; they cited a June TDEC report showing that, of 374 systems in Tennessee, roughly 26% were flawed or insufficient for operation. Staff requested roughly 90 days to vet proposals, coordinate with TDEC, and draft standards so the city does not repeat failures seen elsewhere.
Board members and staff discussed several related risks: the possibility that developers could seek state approvals if local review is delayed, the operational burden of multiple different system types, and whether the city should limit the number of system types it will allow. City staff and the city attorney said the state sets minimum standards but the city may adopt stricter local standards and limit acceptable system choices.
Separately, staff updated the board on the consent‑decree deliverable to TDEC: a list of vested sewer connections due Friday. Staff said the list categorizes projects into active vertical construction, site preparation only, and vested with no activity, and that currently the city’s tally shows roughly 6,671 remaining residential commitments plus large nonresidential commitments (staff noted these are commitments/connections rather than built units). The staff cautioned the public board members to forward legal memos and inquiries through staff to avoid inconsistent communications.
Utility director Jessica Weaver described recent problems at the water reclamation plant, listing five equipment failures in one week: a headworks panel fire, aerator control failures, gearbox failures, PLC/outdated control issues and other pumps/motors near end of life. Weaver said the total civil penalty under the consent order is $65,700; an initial payment of $13,140 has been sent and received by TDEC. She noted the plant had aging, specialized equipment—some aerator gearboxes were previously quoted at about $250,000 each with long lead times (9–12 months) and staff said they would consider procuring spares immediately to avoid extended downtime. Weaver also reported positive news on the water side: the city received an ARAP permit authorizing withdrawals of 6,000,000 gallons per day from the Duck River for water treatment.
