LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — The Metro Utility Department Board will meet on Tuesday, June 9 at the Metro Utilities office located at 705 Fayetteville Highway in Lynchburg beginning at 6 p.m.

Two agenda items might be of interest to the general public. Local resident Linda Smith asked to speak to the board about repeated damage to local water lines by fiber crews laying new lines in Moore County. Over the past 30 days, crews have damaged lines repeatedly resulting in numerous households being without water.

The board will also discuss commercial water and sewer rates in Moore County and budget amendments for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

Over the past year, MUD attempted to address water loss rates through both a sewer rehab and water meter replacement and it looks like those efforts may be working. On Tuesday, MUD Manager Ronnie Cunningham will report the the official water loss is 41% — down from 42.6 % in April and 45.3 % in March. 

During May’s meeting, Cunningham explained to the board that MUD staff broke down the numbers differently in May to account for known leaks, fire department use, routine flushing, and in-house plant use. Staff argued the utility’s true unaccounted loss is closer to 29.8 percent — roughly 7.9 million gallons, or about $58,000 a month in lost revenue at the residential rate of $7.39 per 1,000 gallons. The May in-house number reflect 38.4%, according to numbers provided to The Times in advance of Tuesday’s meeting.

{Editor’s Note: You can read our past coverage of MUD’s water loss issue by clicking here.}

The MUD Board meets every second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. To be added to the agenda, contact their offices at 931-759-4297. •

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