Officials with the Hamilton County Water and Wastewater Treatment Authority (WWTA) said, with the passage of a tax increase that will bring $45 million to the agency, a search will begin for a site for a new sewage treatment plant.
The plant is to be located in the fast-growing northeast section of the county.
Officials said, "The WWTA will begin with a site selection process so we can start acquiring land and later will go through a rigorous permitting process that normally takes one to three years."
Officials said the WWTA’s board approved a study conducted by S&ME at its May 17 meeting to research the cost of meeting needs for customers of the WWTA. S&ME returned with a comprehensive report and the amount to fund those needs.
The increase will fund two new pumping stations and allow the WWTA to make modifications to four existing stations which will serve some of its existing customers and new customers for many years to come, it was stated.
The new funds will pay for up to 75,000 feet of force main. The final distance will be based on the chosen location for the treatment plant.
Concerning odor from the new plant, officials said, "Today’s technologies are more efficient, biologically and with minimal odor even at peak times. Thanks to these new processes, that a new plant will be able to take advantage of, we expect the smell is very minimal."
On benefit for citizens who do not live in the northeast part of the county, it was stated, "By redirecting current flow, we’ll create more capacity in the existing system, reducing overflows, improving the overall health of the environment, and/or allowing for growth."
The plant design will feature a modular approach that will grow as the county’s needs grow and "allow us to plan for service both in the immediate and distant future."
Officials said, "This project won’t warrant a rate increase in and of itself. The WWTA’s rates match those of the city of Chattanooga. The city, and therefore the WWTA will have a rate increase in October, but these events are not directly related. That rate increase will be used to help with the other projects we have started and will be starting: East Ridge Basin 10 Rehab, Lookout Mountain Rehab, Assessment work scheduled around the County (including Signal Mountain, Red Bank, Collegedale/Ooltewah Area, and Lookout Mountain, currently).
"We received information from Market Graphics Research Group, nationally known for providing new home market research information for builders, developers, banks, local governments and others, we are planning for an additional 10,000 residences or residential lots made available in our market by the year 2022. The additional customers will create more revenue for the WWTA (and the county), improving the WWTA’s ability to fund the projects it is responsible for, including rehab of the older service areas and maintenance costs.
"Thanks to the new treatment plant, we will be able to stop untreated overflows. Overall it will actually have a positive effect on water quality. The treatment plant will be state of the art."
Officials said if a gravity sewer is run in right-of-way that your house abuts, or if a gravity sewer runs on any portion of your property, you will have to pay a sewer bill.