Several members of the Hamilton County Water and Wastewater Treatment Authority (WWTA) on Thursday hit statements by some County Commission members on a "potential buyer" for the agency.
Also, WWTA officials said, with a sewage treatment plant off the drawing board, they would have to turn to building several large sewage holding tanks in the Ooltewah area.
Mark Harrison, WWTA executive director, said the agency would call on Commissioners Chester Bankston and Katherlyn Geter to advise on where they should be located. They were among five commissioners voting against a sewage treatment plant on Mahan Gap Road. He said Dean Moorehouse, leader of the anti Mahan Gap Road site, would also be asked to help pick where the sewage holding tanks should go.
County Mayor Jim Coppinger on Wednesday said the sewage holding tanks could be more of a nuisance to neighbors than a sewage treatment plant. Officials said special permits are required for the holding tanks.
County Commissioners threw out that up to four private firms were interested in taking over the WWTA and building sewers at a faster pace out in the county. Chairman Sabrena Smedley, who was one of the commissioners voting down the Mahan Gap plant, said she had sat down and spoken with one of the prospects.
She said commissioners ought to look at that option "if it would free up capacity sooner and be more efficient and if the cost to the taxpayers of Hamilton County could be less."
WWTA Chairman Mike Moon said any sale would be up to the WWTA board and not anyone in county government. He said, "I have not heard from any of the four 'potential buyers.' "
WWTA Commissioner Dick Gee said it was "abhorrent" that some county officials were discussing the buyout and potential buyers when it is the WWTA "who is the one charged" with running the county sewer program. He said, "We have the right to know who it is they are talking about."
He added, "Whether or not this is real or not, I don't know. But whether or not it is real I want to know who these buyers are. I think they should come forward."
Bill McGriff, another board member who is the former county auditor, said talk of a sale of the WWTA could put a damper on issuance of bonds for upcoming major sewer work and could also raise the interest rate.
On any sale, he said it would require a lengthy RFP process to give all bidders a chance. He said, "We can't put everything on hold for a year or a year and a half."
Mr. McGriff said, "I don't want to say this was irresponsible, but in my opinion it was not a good idea personally or professionally."
Mr. Moon noted that WWTA officials have a meeting next month with the EPA in Atlanta on terms of an upcoming expensive consent decree. He said, "I don't think they'll have much patience any more. I think they expect action."
He said the agency is in a further bind because the city's Moccasin Bend Sewage Treatment Plant can't continue to take large volumes of effluent from the WWTA. He said the agency had already reached its most recent limit from the city - with additional huge growth expected in the Ooltewah area.
Mr. Gee, who was formerly Signal Mountain vice mayor, said, "We have been told many times that sewering areas out in the county is our primary mission. How do you accomplish that after this decision? It will be virtually impossible."
Mr. Harrison said, "I would like to share my deep gratitude with members of this board, our wastewater professionals and our hardworking professional partners who have been so supportive over the last few months leading up to yesterday’s vote.
"Our organization made the necessary decision to not burden our customers with an additional $16 to $21 million that would be needed to move the proposed plant to one of the proposed alternative sites. The site selected was the best based on the due diligence performed by SM&E and remains the best location for a new sewer treatment plant.
"Based on the fact the Hamilton County Commission voted to deny this location, without approving the additional funds needed for one of the alternate wastewater treatment sites, we will need to explore the use of storages tanks to handle expected growth. Until I hear otherwise, that is the message I intend to deliver to the EPA when we meet with them in Atlanta next month. Based on zoning regulations for storage tanks and the demonstrated need for the community to be involved in site selection, we will be reaching out to community leaders like Commissioner Bankston and Commissioner Geter and Dean Moorhouse to request that they select two to three sites in their district that they would recommend for storage tanks.
"In addition, we are exploring the potential for Commissioner Smedley to attend the meeting with the EPA next months in Atlanta. This will be a very frank discussion and one that will guide our direction as we conclude negotiations on the pending Consent Decree.
"Over the last 24 hours, we’ve been encouraged by the number of businesses and organizations coming forward to offer their support and assistance. We intend to work together as a community to meet the WWTA’s mission. We will, of course, continue to encourage economic development in Hamilton County. You all understand and know the important role this organization plays in our County’s growth.
"Thank you for the guidance you continue to provide to me and members of our team. Today marks our 25th anniversary and, while we have faced many challenges in our history, we know that the most important ones are the ones we face today. Thank you for your support.” He said he expected that the WWTA will be around to celebrate its 50th as well.