Years’ worth of work by leaders of Red Bank may soon be rewarded when the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation lifts the “contact advisory” that has existed on Stringers Branch for more than a decade, said officials. In an Oct. 7 letter to Red Bank City Manager Randall Smith, officials with TDEC, noting the improved water quality in Stringers Branch, said that “stream monitoring data indicates that the bacteria levels in Stringers Branch have been improving over the past several years” and that as it continues to gather information TDEC hopes “that in the near future that the department can consider lifting the 'contact advisory' for the stream that runs through Red Bank.”
“Many Red Bank leaders and other organizations have worked diligently over the past five years to get Stringers Branch off the posted list,” said Red Bank Mayor John Roberts. “The pollution in the creek is getting better on a daily basis and we are very confident that the restrictions on Stringers Branch will be removed early next year.”
Mr., Smith said that Red Bank has made an intensive effort to keep the waterway clean while enforcing the rules and regulations imposed by TDEC. Mr. Smith said the city removes debris from Stringers Branch to make it run quicker because consistent water flow helps improve the pollution.
The city has made certain that vegetation removal restrictions are enforced and that a tree canopy now covers a large portion of the stream resulting in enhanced water quality. Constant monitoring of activity along the stream has helped stop the dumping of contaminants like paint and chemicals, said officials.
“TDEC has been very attentive and cooperative in working with the city,” said City Manager Smith. “Our constant attention to the stream has resulted in improvement to the overall water quality. We look forward to the day that TDEC can remove the warning signs restricting citizens from enjoying the benefits the stream can offer.”
For more information on Stringers Branch and the renewal efforts, please contact Randall Smith at 877-1103.