Tennessee American replaces sediment ponds in $17 million upgrade

For the second time in the past five years, Chattanooga’s biggest water utility has replaced one of its aging sedimentation ponds to help upgrade its water purification.

Tennessee-American Water, a subsidiary of American Water Works which supplies water to about 380,000 residents in the Chattanooga area, spent $17 million to replace a centuryold basin in 2016 and more recently to rebuild a basin that dated to around 1887.

The sedimentation basins are large pools of water with equipment to remove sediment as part of the treatment process. Company spokeswoman Daphne Kirksey said the new sedimentation basins use plate settlers that clean the water more efficiently and add more flow capacity.

“Our customers trust us with an essential service. They serve our product to their family, their children,” said Tennessee American Water Engineering Manager Grady Stout. “We take our responsibility seriously and are proud to deliver quality drinking water. Investment now helps sustain our current operations, adding efficiency while supporting resiliency for the future.”

In 2020, Tennessee American Water invested more than $28 million in the drinking water systems in the communities it serves. Customers pay a capital-cost recovery fee each year to finance the system upgrades.

But the American Society of Civil Engineering and others estimate far more investment is needed by water utilities to maintain and improve water services. A report card on Tennessee by the Society of Civil Engineering said the state’s drinking water infrastructure needs $2.7 billion of upgrades and additions over the next two decades. The 2018 Environmental Protection Agency’s Report to Congress on drinking water needs puts the Tennessee number at $8.7 billion.

Tennessee American is both the largest investor-owned water utility in Tennessee and one of the oldest businesses in Chattanooga, having been founded in 1866.