CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Customers may soon see higher bills from Clarksville Gas & Water, under a proposed rate increase needed to pay for the city’s second water treatment plant and other key projects.
Clarksville Gas & Water Director Mark Riggins joined City Council members at their Thursday executive session to present the increase.
Riggins told council members the increase has been planned for a long time as “imminent,” but he recognized that the timing is difficult due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This rate increase has been in the works for years. It was planned to come now even before COVID happened,” Riggins said.
The ordinance would increase usage fees and customer charges for water, as well as sewer rates. Changes would occur gradually, rising each year until 2024.
Sewer rates would transition from the current usage fee to a flat rate, the total of which by 2024 would be $8.14 per month within city limits and $14.24 outside the city.
New water treatment plant planned
Riggins told council members the proposed rate increase would allow for several key infrastructure projects needed by Clarksville Gas & Water.
The first and largest of these projects is a North Clarksville water treatment plant, currently funded to $138 million for design, construction management and other needs.
State regulations require that, once a water system averages 80% capacity, expansion plans must be made. While Clarksville does not yet meet that level, Riggins said Clarksville regularly reaches beyond 80% in the summer.
The initial phase will allow an additional 12 million gallons of capacity, with another 24 million being added in later phases.
“This second plant should serve Clarksville Gas & Water’s water needs for eternity,” Riggins told council members.
Riggins also said the new plant would allow for system redundancy in the water supply. If one plant were to go down, Clarksville would not be without clean water.
Improving issues with landfill
Gas & Water also hopes to purchase new thermal drying equipment to decrease Gas & Water’s output of sludge, alleviating issues at Bi-County Landfill.
Riggins said the dryers would also improve the quality of sludge to pre-flood levels, allowing Gas & Water to provide that material to farmers for agriculture.
The City Council is expected to vote on the increase at their regular session on Thursday, May 6, at 7 p.m. at council chambers, 106 Public Square. All meetings are now taking place in person, with pre-COVID capacity restrictions.