by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At the March 21meeting of the Sewanee Utility District Board of Commissioners, the board elected officers for 2023. The board approved two purchases, one to replace a stolen utility vehicle and one to replace a beyond-repair testing device.

The board elected Charlie Smith president, Johnny Hughes vice president, and Doug Cameron secretary. Officers serve until the next commissioners election.

SUD manager Ben Beavers said SUD received $6,400 from an insurance claim for the four-wheeler stolen from the Wastewater Treatment Plant. A utility vehicle was needed for maintenance of the spray fields, Beavers explained. The options were a one-person vehicle not designed to haul tools, estimated cost $8,000, or a two-person vehicle with a dump bed, estimated cost $14,000. The board approved the purchase of a two-person utility vehicle, cost not to exceed $14,203, based on the best price Beavers has found so far. He will search for lower prices before making the purchase.

The board also approved purchase of a used backflow-testing kit, cost $500. SUD requires backflow devices to prevent water from irrigation systems and other operations from re-entering the drinking water supply. SUD must test the devices for accuracy. Beavers said SUD’s testing unit was 25-30 years old and could not be calibrated or repaired. A new testing unit costs $895. Beavers owns the used unit. The unit has only been used twice. The unit has just been recalibrated and carried a warranty on the calibration, Beavers said.

Reporting on other business, Beavers said he reviewed and approved for submission to the state the engineering plans for a 1,200-foot water line extension with six taps in the Deep Woods development. Developers pay for water line extensions which must be engineered according to SUD’s standards. Following approval and inspection, SUD assumes ownership and maintenance. The developer anticipates beginning construction in May, Beavers said.

Updating the board on SUD’s American Recovery Plan (ARP) grant administered by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Beavers said the deadline for TDEC requesting clarification had passed. Beavers has several questions and hopes to initiate a meeting with the Franklin County grants coordinator. Beavers wants to begin work on the Asset Management Program required by the grant, but TDEC has not yet provided criterion for the program. Beavers also wants to know if SUD can engage different engineers for different projects to be funded by the grant, since qualifications will differ. SUD anticipates receiving a $1.5 million grant with 15 percent coming from Franklin County, 15 percent paid by SUD, and the remainder coming from the ARP.

Reporting on operations, Beavers said unaccounted-for water loss was decreasing, due to SUD finding and repairing leaks. Unaccounted-for water loss is water produced at the plant that does not register on customer meters. Beavers said SUD recently addressed a “meter blowout” and leak on Jump Off Road. Part of the ARP grant money will be used for leak detection and evaluating pressure zones. Beavers hopes unaccounted for water loss for 2023 will be 2-2.5 percent less than last year.