CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Citizens for Fort Campbell, a joint initiative of the Military Affairs Committees of the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Christian County Chamber of Commerce, recently spoke out and welcomed recent congressional action to evaluate and improve aging utility infrastructure at Fort Campbell.
According to a Citizens for Fort Campbell press release, an assessment would give federal leaders a clearer picture of infrastructure needs at Fort Campbell and help guide future investment decisions for one of the Army’s most important installations.
Amendment introduced to assess condition of utility systems at older military installations
U.S. Rep. Matt Van Epps, R-Tenn., along with U.S. Reps. James Comer, R-Ky., and Andy Barr, R-Ky., introduced an amendment to the fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act directing the Department of Defense to assess the condition of utility systems at older military installations, including Fort Campbell.
The evaluation would examine infrastructure condition, replacement costs, operational impacts, and effects on servicemembers, military families, and installation readiness.
“I am grateful to the Citizens for Fort Campbell for their advocacy on this issue,” said Rep. Van Epps in the release. “After speaking with them and leadership at Fort Campbell, I introduced an amendment to the FY27 NDAA to spotlight the water infrastructure needs at Fort Campbell and other older bases.
“By developing a data-driven modernization strategy, the amendment ensures installations like Fort Campbell are identified and addressed before deteriorating infrastructure impacts military readiness and increases future costs,” Van Epps said.
Community leaders advocating for Fort Campbell in Washington
The press release said, for more than 35 years, Citizens for Fort Campbell has advocated on behalf of the installation and the soldiers and families who call the region home. Each year, business and community leaders from Tennessee and Kentucky travel to Washington, D.C., to meet with federal lawmakers and agency officials about priorities affecting Fort Campbell and the surrounding region.
“The long-term readiness and success of Fort Campbell depends on sustained investment in critical infrastructure,” said Charlie Koon, Chair of Citizens for Fort Campbell.
“Ensuring that our nation’s military installations have reliable water and wastewater systems is essential not only for military operations, but also for the quality of life of the soldiers and families who serve there.”
Most of Fort Campbell’s water/wastewater systems date back 80 years
The release also said Fort Campbell’s water and wastewater systems are among the installation’s most pressing infrastructure challenges.
“Much of the system dates back more than 80 years, with major components constructed in the 1940s. Community and installation leaders have identified approximately $367 million in needed investments to upgrade the water treatment plant, wastewater treatment facilities, and water and sewer distribution systems,” said the release.
According to installation briefings, aging infrastructure has contributed to recurring water outages and reduced system resilience. “This year alone, dozens of major water main breaks have affected hundreds of facilities across the installation, creating operational disruptions and highlighting the need for long-term modernization,” said Citizens for Fort Campbell.
“Critical projects include replacement of the aging water distribution system, rehabilitation of the wastewater collection network, construction of a new water treatment plant capable of meeting future environmental standards, and replacement of wastewater treatment infrastructure that has exceeded its useful life.”
Support of installation’s mission readiness and long-term sustainability.
As one of the Army’s premier power projection platforms and home to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell plays a vital role in national defense, said the release.
The installation serves as a significant economic driver for both Tennessee and Kentucky and continues to attract military retirees and their families to the region. The Citizens for Fort Campbell delegation plan to continue advocating for policies and investments that support the installation’s mission readiness and long-term sustainability.
“Fort Campbell is a strategic national asset and a cornerstone of our regional economy,” said Melinda Shepard, Executive Director of the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce. “Our delegation remains committed to working with federal leaders to ensure the installation has the infrastructure and resources necessary to support the men and women who serve our country.”
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