Grant Money May Help Monteagle's Water Woes

"They live off a lot of water wells around their house and they take showers in it and drink from it. It's an everyday part of their lives." That was what Pelham Valley resident Elijah Cantrell said about his friends and neighbors after a waste water tank collapsed this past March, spilling thousands of gallons of sewage into Juanita Creek.

Now, thanks to an Appalachian Regional Commission grant, Monteagle is $500,000 closer to making sure it never happens again.

Beth Jones is the Executive Director of the Southeast Tennessee Development District.  "As you know they've been somewhat challenged by deteriorating infrastructure and the governor has recommended this for approval so this will assist them with upgrading their wastewater treatment plant," she explained Monday.

Monteagle Mayor Charles Rollins told us this grant means a half million dollars the city won't need to borrow.

Jones added: "They've got a plan in place along with some state revolving funds that will give them enough money to be able to address giving them a new plant as well as improving their collection system."

There have been problems with the sewage facility in the past, but last summer's severe drought pushed the wastewater problems to the wayside.  "They did get an emergency response grant from Rural Development last year to make an emergency connection for water last year," said Jones.

Now water can be taken from Cooley's Rift to supplement the city's water from Laurel Lake in the case of an emergency. The grants, combined with this season's rainfall, mean Monteagle's water problems may soon be history.