By Tabitha Evans Moore
Editor & Publisher

LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — The Metropolitan Utility Department (MUD) Board voted on Tuesday to move forward with a plan to replace the district’s remaining galvanized water lines and authorized borrowing up to $1 million to make sure the money is in place before construction bids come in.

The project, expected to cost roughly $600,000, is being driven in part by the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), the federal regulation requiring water systems nationwide to identify and replace lead and certain galvanized service lines. According to the district, this project accounts for the majority of Moore County’s remaining galvanized line inventory — once complete, no galvanized lines will remain in the system.

The project covers two areas: the Chapman Acres subdivision, where the district’s engineer estimated a turnkey replacement cost of $480,475 serving roughly 33 homes, and a roughly 900-foot stretch of four-inch line along Highway 55 through the Lynchburg Historic District, serving an additional eight to nine properties. Combined, the engineer estimated the two projects at approximately $600,000.

“I think those numbers will handle it, but I wouldn’t bet on getting the same numbers you got from Rogers Hydro this time,” the district’s engineer, Bryant Griffin of Hethcoat & Davis, Inc., told the board, explaining the estimate was built from a recent, favorably priced job and padded with a 10 percent construction contingency.

Board members also discussed whether to upsize sections of the new line from four inches to six inches in diameter to accommodate standard fire hydrants, at the fire department’s request. The board asked the engineer to price out a six-inch alternate for comparison before finalizing the bid specifications.

In a second vote, the board authorized borrowing up to $1 million from the Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund — nearly double the project’s estimated cost — as a financial cushion in case bids come in higher than expected. Board member Glen Thomas explained to the group that the district does not have to use the full amount, or borrow at all, until the money is needed.

“We can borrow a million and not use it,” Thomas said, noting the timing was driven by the Metro Council’s approval process, which requires two separate readings. Board members said acting now — rather than waiting until after bids are received — ensures the funding is in place when construction is ready to go out to bid, which they said could happen by early next year.

Griffin told the board the design and bid documents are largely complete and will be finalized with the utility manager before being submitted to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) for state approval — a process Griffin said typically takes about three months, in part because the project requires a permitted creek crossing. Board members said that timeline makes it unlikely the project will go out to bid before the end of the year.

Both motions — the $600,000 galvanized line replacement project and the $1 million bond borrowing — passed by roll call vote, with all five board members voting yes including outgoing chair Barry Posluszny, Darrell Richards, Charles Johnston, Greg Guinn, and Glenn Thomas.

On a side note, Greg Guinn will replace Posluszny as MUD Board Chair and Glen Thomas will act as Vice Chair. New Member Payton Keller attended Tuesday’s meeting as well. •

About the Lynchburg Times: The Lynchburg Times is Moore County’s locally owned, independent news source. Our reporting is supported by readers, small business partners, and underwriters who believe community journalism matters. Our small business profiles are sponsored by First Community Bank. If this story was valuable to you, consider becoming a supporter at lynchburgtimes.com.