Design update for Kingston water-treatment expansion flags TVA easement and solar-panel constraints

Adura Group presented a 30% schematic design of a proposed water-treatment plant expansion and identified two site issues staff must resolve before the project advances. Kevin, a city staff member introducing the item, said Adura had provided the preliminary drawings and Aaron Krenshaw from Adura walked the council through the schematic layout and operational approach.

Aaron and Mr. Hamilton, the city’s utility director, told the council the existing plant occupies property subject to an easement granted by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Mr. Hamilton said TVA’s easement ‘‘reserve[s] the right to tell you within 90 days to leave that piece of property,’’ and recommended the city seek to amend the easement or obtain a deed to avoid jeopardizing long-term financing and grant eligibility. Staff also noted a row of solar panels between the existing plant and a nearby track constrains where new construction can be placed; council asked staff to review the solar agreement and determine whether the panels can be relocated or the easement adjusted. Adura emphasized the design reuses the current raw-water intake at the old bridge abutments and would build a separate, parallel facility to allow seamless switchover if the existing plant needs to be taken offline.

Staff said they will research TVA’s easement terms and bring a resolution to the council to formally request property transfer or amendment if appropriate. No formal action was taken during the work session; the presentation was described as a 30% schematic starting point for further engineering and grant/financing discussions.