Paul StinsonSeveral communities and a water district in northeastern Tennessee will direct $28 million toward projects that will improve water access and update aging infrastructure.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) awarded $19 million in collaborative grants to Sumner County, the Castalian Springs-Bethpage Water District and the cities of Portland, Westmoreland and Gallatin to upgrade water infrastructure and attach intercity water lines. The money comes from the State Water Infrastructure Grants (SWIG) program, an initiative designed to provide financial assistance to local public entities for planning, designing, constructing and rehabilitating water infrastructure.
The $19 million will be combined with $9 million from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), a program that supports governing entities’ response and recovery from COVID-19. The funds will be used to build infrastructure that reinforces water supplies pulled from the Cumberland River and processed by the city of Gallatin’s water treatment plant.
The collaborative approach allows Sumner County and its cities to share capacity of the regional water transmission lanes. Once completed, the project will increase water accessibility and security, mitigate drought conditions, boost fire protection and improve safe drinking water inter-connectivity during disasters.
Work is set to begin immediately on engineering design. The funds must be expended by Dec. 31, 2026, according to the grantor.
Strategic Partnerships, Inc. can provide information on contract opportunities, plus existing and future government funding. For more information, contact research@spartnerships.com.
