Resolution would not allow non-WWTA treatment facilities in Hamilton County

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- Sewage capacity in rural Hamilton County has long been a point of contention.

A resolution proposed by Commissioner Gene-O Shipley of Soddy-Daisy would require all onsite wastewater treatment facilities in the county to be under the ownership of the WWTA.

This is as developers say they want to come up with their own solution to rural sewer issues.

Commissioner Shipley said, “But what we don’t want to do is get spread out so far that we break WWTA trying to pump liquids five, six, seven miles.”

He says this is to protect WWTA’s infrastructure as they work to update their rules and regulations.

“If we’re going to operate these systems in Hamilton County they should be operated by WWTA. Not companies coming in here from out west, up north, but by our own sewer authority, that we have, that we trust,” said Commissioner Shipley.

However, others voiced concerns that this could hinder the ongoing growth in rural Hamilton County.

Some say they want decentralized wastewater systems ran by other companies to better facilitate that growth.

Julian Bell, a representative for Greater Chattanooga Homeowners, said, “As we go forward in an unincorporated portion of the county that predominately does not have sewers and will not have sewers extended for some time, decentralized systems are an important tool to be able to use for safety of the community and for growth.”

Others pointed out this battle does not need to turn into a war.

Commissioner Chip Baker said, “Let’s just talk, because we are all in this together. We want homes and we need homes so we make money.”

This resolution will be voted on next Wednesday.