Preparing for Tomorrow

A Quarterly Publication From Your Water Service Provider

SPRING 2025

AWWA Drinking Water Week

For over four decades, the American Water Works Association has embraced the special occasion of Drinking Water Week as a remarkable platform to highlight the essential role that water plays in our everyday lives. This week-long celebration, which will take place from May 4-10 in 2025, invites not only water professionals but also the communities they serve to come together in appreciation of this precious resource. It is a time for reflection, education, and engagement, fostering a deeper understanding of the importance of clean, safe drinking water and the efforts that go into providing it. Join us in celebrating this vital week and the collective commitment to ensuring a sustainable water future for all!

Zone Meters

Several years ago, SBCUD began installing zone meters in two areas of our system. The purpose of these meters is to help monitor conditions in the system and continue to ensure that we are aware of water loss and main line breaks as soon as possible. Currently, we have nine zone meter stations that are installed and operating. In the coming fiscal year, we will be installing more of these zone meters to monitor a wider area of our system. This is an ongoing project that we hope to expand each year. These meters will be vital to the operation and maintenance of the utility district. If you have any questions concerning zone meters, please contact the office.

National Safe Digging Month

Before you start planting trees and working on other Spring projects that require digging, be sure to dial 811! You could avoid costly repairs and utility outages by ensuring that utility companies have marked their lines prior to digging. 811 will reach out to all the utility companies in your area to come out and mark their lines with color coordinated paint or flags. After all utility lines are marked, you can proceed cautiously with digging, especially when you are close to one of the utility markings.

INVE$TING IN OUR FUTURE

As part of our ongoing effort to meet development trends and prepare for the future, SBCUD is planning to replace aging infrastructure with new infrastructure that will ensure we are positioned to meet those demands for future generations. To learn more and stay informed on our projects, visit the Projects Page of our website .

LOUISVILLE TRANSMISSION WATER MAIN PROJECT

Project Description: This 35,000 linear feet project replaces assets that are up to 60 years old and will provide the needed system hydraulics for the future of the county. Phase I of this project will begin behind Newell on William Blount Drive. It will follow Big Springs Road to Old Glory and end at the intersection of W Hunt Road and Proffitt Springs. This project is solely funded with SBCUD operating reserves.

Project Status: Engineering is 100% complete. This project is expected to bid in May-June CY25 with construction in FY26.

CLEAR WELL PROJECT

Project Location: South Blount County Utility District's (SBCUD) Water Treatment Plant.

Project Description: An additional 1 million gallon clear well water tank for the SBCUD Water Treatment Plant. This project will be solely funded with SBCUD operating reserves.

Project Status: Construction performed by Southern Constructors is underway on this project with completion expected in April 2025.

SBCUD IN HOUSE PROJECTS

Project Description: South Blount County Utility District (SBCUD) will be replacing 900 feet of aging 4" water main on Brookfield Lane. The line will be replaced with a new 4" PVC line. The new line will be installed parallel to the existing line within SBCUD's current easement.

Project Status: Construction on this project is expected to begin in April-May CY25. This project is solely funded with SBCUD operating reserves.

LOUISVILLE ARPA FUNDED WATER LINE UPGRADES

Project Description: This project will replace aging infrastructure in the Mentor Rd. and Samples Rd. areas of Louisville.

Project Status: The project was awarded to Horizon Underground. Construction is expected to begin in April-May of CY25. This project will be funded with American Rescue Plan Act funding by Blount County.

EMPLOYEE BIRTHDAYS

APRIL 3

APRIL 7

APRIL 9

APRIL 13

MAY 8

MAY 18

MAY 22

JUNE 16

JUNE 19

JUNE 24

JUNE 26

JUNE 29

JEFF GANTT

BRANDY WELSHAN

TRAVIS TEFFETELLER

RONNIE HUTSELL

PEGGY CHILDRESS

EUGENE DURANT

KIM HEPTINSTALL

KELSIE ELLIOTT

SHANNON ICENHOWER

DANNY GREGORY

TROY BULL

AL SCOTT

TYLER BLAIR

Stay connected by checking out our calendar of events, updated regularly on our website. Click on the calendar above to be directed to our online calendar. Also, keep up with current events by following us on Instagram and Facebook. Visit our YouTube page for helpful videos.

KID'S CORNER

Cool Facts & Fun Experiments

FUN FACTS FOR KIDS

A jellyfish and a cucumber are each 95% water!

AWWA Drinking Water Week Kids Activities

AWWA Drinking Water Week Maze