Commission tables discussion on wastewater treatment plant

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Hamilton County Commission voted this morning to table discussions about relocating the proposed wastewater treatment plant that was voted down in December. Moving the proposed plant would cost the county additional 25 million dollars.

In December a large group of residents living near the proposed site off Mahan Gap Road, convinced the majority of the commission to vote against that project.

But now, since a treatment plant is still needed, the project will cost even more, because of necessary pumps and other infrastructure.

Chester Bankston moved to table the resolution for approving the money, and the commission approved his motion.

Dean Moorehouse is chairman of a community group opposed to building a wastewater treatment facility. They are looking at alternative sites, that would perhaps meet less community resistance.

“We were told we need a sewer treatment plant, but where are the numbers? You know, Ooltewah only represents less than ten percent of the total volume of the WWTA. And, you know, some of the numbers we’re looking at – if you spend fifty million dollars for a sewer treatment plant and you only save seven hundred eighty thousand a year, at 3 percent interest you’re payback’s eighty-two and a half million or a hundred and twenty years.”

Mayor Jim Coppinger says the money needs to be approved before the project can go forward. Meanwhile, the WWTA is in Atlanta today meeting with the EPA.