by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

“The membrane filters at the water plant have a life expectancy of 10 years. They’re on their 15th year. They are still working, but they are showing their age,” said Sewanee Utility District manager Ben Beavers at the April 15 meeting of the SUD Board of Commissioners, emphasizing the need for replacing the filters. The board voted to replace the modules in both filtration racks as the more cost-efficient option, rather than replacing modules one rack this year and one next year. The board tabled a proposal for a rate and financial planning study due to the cost.

“When [the membranes] start going downhill they go down pretty quick,” Beavers said. “[replacing them] is one of the things we’ve been saving money for.” Beavers observed that of the 44 modules in the two filtration racks , only one module had failed so far. “If one fails you can cap it off, but your capacity goes down.”

Beavers noted replacing the modules in both filtration racks at the same time amounted to nearly a 20 percent savings (cost for replacing modules in one rack, $130,000; cost for replacing modules in both racks, $223,000). He anticipates a six-month lead time, with the replacement done in September or October over the course of several days. “We’ll need to work two shifts for a week,” Beavers said.

Commenting on the Raftelis proposal for a rate and financial planning study, Beavers said, “Raftelis did a rate study for us in 2008 and updated that in 2014. They did a great job.” Providing background, Beavers explained in 2008 the district was in the midst of a drought, with concern high about adding new customers and how to get more water. Following Raftelis’ advice, the $600 tap fee increased to over $4,000 and included a Water Resources and Water System Development Charge, taking into account present as well as projected future expense. Beavers said Raftelis was one of two national companies that provided in depth financial analysis to water utilities.

Beavers, however, took issue with the $50,000 cost. “I think it’s a lot of money,” Beavers insisted. “I would love to have a rate study, but I don’t know that its worth $50,000. I was expecting $10,000-$15,000.”

Board President Charlie Smith concurred, “The screens [for the water plant] take precedent,” Smith said, but he acknowledged, “We need a rate study.” Smith suggested contacting other vendors.

Citing another possibility, Beavers proposed the board identify a priority area, perhaps reducing the range of the study. Raftelis cited three focuses: financial planning, financial forecast, and rate structure. Beavers also pointed out data currently being collected for SUD’s Asset Management Plan on asset depreciation would be a useful tool in a long-range planning study, if done after the Asset Management Plan was completed.

Beavers will explore the option of a more limited financial analysis with Raftelis and also contact other vendors.

In response to repeated requests for and inquires about new meters at homes under construction, Beavers said, “We are backlogged severely in new meter installations. Please tell people we do them in the order we receive them.”