Much needed upgrades to the Buck Mountain water system are coming thanks to state grant.
Algood City Administrator Keith Morrison said the city plans to increase pump capacity and place the pump station above ground with a new system. The upgrades are a necessity to continue to provide water to Buck Mountain.
“The pumps there were put in several years ago and just are not supplying enough water,” Morrison said. “They have to keep running pretty constant to keep the water pressure up the mountain and get the water to the residents because of the continued growth.”
Morrison said these upgrades will allow the pumps to run less. Sometimes, the pumps ran up to 23 hours straight to provide Buck Mountain residents water. The Algood City Council approved the resolution to apply for the Local Government Support Grant at Tuesday’s meeting. Gov. Bill Lee established the grant in response to local government needs and impact of COVID-19 in Tennessee.
“That 75,000 gallon tank could turnover once a day, sometimes turn over one and half times a day for that much use,” “This will give us a quicker return for the mountain and allow the pumps to shut off more. You also want to have the capacity just in case you have a fire up there.”
The original system was installed in the 70’s for around 200 residents. Now, Buck Mountain has around 1,500 residents.
The estimated project cost is $165,000. If the application passes, the Local Government Support Grant will pay for $127,521. The city estimates paying $37,000 of the project from their utility funds.
Morrison said he will apply for the Local Government Support Grant this month. The awarded money will go out after July 1st. After the project gets a bid winner, the project will be completed in six to eight months.
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