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Bill to form Humphreys County water authority moves forward after flood-driven pitch for regional planning
Summary
Representative Reedy said House Bill 1500 would form a regional water and wastewater authority after the 2021 flood exposed infrastructure failures; members discussed consolidation of utility districts, relocation of facilities out of floodplains and funding options. Committee advanced the bill by a recorded vote of 12–0 after an administrative double vote.
Representative Reedy told the committee that House Bill 1500, submitted on behalf of the Humphreys County Board of Commissioners, responds to infrastructure failures highlighted by the 2021 flood. He said Humphreys County "has experienced significant infrastructure challenge and service interruption during natural disasters, including the 20 21 flood, which demonstrated the need for a coordinated regional approach to water and wastewater resources management." The sponsor said consolidation would make it easier to pursue federal and state funding and to relocate water and wastewater facilities outside flood-prone areas.
Members asked about local utility districts, potential pushback to consolidation and how an authority would work across municipalities. Representative Reedy said the county seeks to bring city systems and independent utility districts together to plan and fund improvements for roughly 18,000 residents. Representative Pearson raised a question about a proposed industrial water project in Memphis and whether wastewater reuse agreements with private partners (she named Nucor Steel, Tennessee Valley Authority and XAI) were being considered; the sponsor said he was not aware of such arrangements. The committee recorded 12 ayes and 0 nos; the chair noted they had to take the vote twice for administrative reasons but the tally did not change.
