City of Maryville Water and Sewer will be making three rate and fee changes in order to update and simplify processes and prepare for future system upgrades. A fourth change to the biosolids program is also underway. The following is detailed information about each initiative.
Part I: Rate and fee changes planned for 2021.
1. Sewer Fee Increase
Who does this change affect? All City of Maryville Sewer Customers
All city of Maryville sewer customers will see an increase in their monthly sewer bill of two dollars ($2.00) beginning April 1. More information about this change can be found in the Water and Sewer Improvement Plans (Section II of this article).
2. New Irrigation Meter Installation Fee Increase
Who does this change affect? New Irrigation Meter Customers
Customers with irrigation systems may choose to have a separate irrigation meter installed to avoid paying sewer charges on irrigation activity.
Effective April 1, any new irrigation tap will be charged at a rate of $1,545 for a 5/8” meter set and $1,975 for a 1” meter set. This reflects a $1,000 increase of the one-time fee. The new increase will help offset the actual cost of installing irrigation meters. This one-time fee is only for new installations of irrigation meters and does not affect existing meters.
Why the big increase? Irrigation meter addition requests are usually made after the utilities are installed, streets are paved, and sod is placed. The cost to do this work is much higher than the City’s charge.
3. Rate Schedule Simplification
Who does this change affect? High Volume Water Usage Customers
In order to simplify the current rate structure, the last block of the structure chart will be eliminated. This block affects customers who use more than 50,000 gallons of water per month. The goal with this change is to eliminate confusion and simplify the process.
Part I: Rate and fee changes planned for 2021.
1. Sewer Fee Increase
Who does this change affect? All City of Maryville Sewer Customers
All city of Maryville sewer customers will see an increase in their monthly sewer bill of two dollars ($2.00) beginning April 1. More information about this change can be found in the Water and Sewer Improvement Plans (Section II of this article).
2. New Irrigation Meter Installation Fee Increase
Who does this change affect? New Irrigation Meter Customers
Customers with irrigation systems may choose to have a separate irrigation meter installed to avoid paying sewer charges on irrigation activity.
Effective April 1, any new irrigation tap will be charged at a rate of $1,545 for a 5/8” meter set and $1,975 for a 1” meter set. This reflects a $1,000 increase of the one-time fee. The new increase will help offset the actual cost of installing irrigation meters. This one-time fee is only for new installations of irrigation meters and does not affect existing meters.
Why the big increase? Irrigation meter addition requests are usually made after the utilities are installed, streets are paved, and sod is placed. The cost to do this work is much higher than the City’s charge.
3. Rate Schedule Simplification
Who does this change affect? High Volume Water Usage Customers
In order to simplify the current rate structure, the last block of the structure chart will be eliminated. This block affects customers who use more than 50,000 gallons of water per month. The goal with this change is to eliminate confusion and simplify the process.
4. Biosolids (Compost) Availability for Residential and Commercial Use
Who does this change affect? Biosolids (Compost) Wholesalers
Biosolids are a byproduct of the wastewater treatment process that results in an end-use fertilizer (compost). The product has previously only been available to wholesalers due to the access and capacity needs of the facility.
The City will end its current biosolids wholesaler program effective immediately. When production allows later this summer, the compost will be made available to individuals free of charge and a new wholesaler program will be in place. More information about the compost program will be available later this spring.
Visit www.maryvillegov.com/biosolids-fertilizer-compost for more information and to sign up for availability notification. No compost is currently available.
Part II: Upcoming Improvements
Water and Sewer System Improvement Plans
Three equipment upgrades are planned for the Regional Wastewater Treatment Plan. The cost of these upgrades will be offset by the sewer fee increase of $2 per month. Implementing the fee will allow the City to fund these capital improvements without incurring additional debt. The new systems are expected to be complete by fall 2022 at an estimated cost of $4 million to the City of Maryville and $4 million to partners: city of Alcoa and Knox Chapman Utility District.
Wastewater Solids Management System Updates
Two equipment updates designed to improve the dependability of the system include installation of a belt filter press and an additional gravity belt thickener — tools that remove water from the solids during processing. The additional gravity belt thickener ensures a backup for equipment failure. This equipment is critical in the operation of the system.
A new Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection Process will also be added to the system. This system uses UV light to disinfect wastewater in a more efficient and safer manner than previous treatment technology.
The current disinfection system – which is widely used in the industry – uses chlorine gas in the disinfection process. Chlorine gas is delivered and stored in one-ton cylinders. While the likelihood of a catastrophic failure of a chlorine gas cylinder is very low, the risk associated with a failure is high. The newer UV technology eliminates the risk associated with stored chlorine gas.
*The process of disinfecting wastewater does not produce chlorine gas.
Water System Updates
In addition to the sewer system updates, the City is also adding to its water system capacity.
Capacity is limited in the 411 South area of Maryville, and with the new developments planned in this area, the addition of a water tank will be required to maintain appropriate storage space to match the future demand.
To prepare for the new tank, the City is adding an additional pump at the Walker Boulevard booster station which will supply the two-million-gallon water tank in Greenwood Subdivision. The addition of this tank will provide needed water supply capacity in this area of Maryville which includes Royal Oaks and the developments off Morganton Road. This project is expected to be complete in fall 2023 and funded from the available water utility fund.
For more information about the information above, contact us at city@maryville-tn.gov or call 865-273-3402.
Who does this change affect? Biosolids (Compost) Wholesalers
Biosolids are a byproduct of the wastewater treatment process that results in an end-use fertilizer (compost). The product has previously only been available to wholesalers due to the access and capacity needs of the facility.
The City will end its current biosolids wholesaler program effective immediately. When production allows later this summer, the compost will be made available to individuals free of charge and a new wholesaler program will be in place. More information about the compost program will be available later this spring.
Visit www.maryvillegov.com/biosolids-fertilizer-compost for more information and to sign up for availability notification. No compost is currently available.
Part II: Upcoming Improvements
Water and Sewer System Improvement Plans
Three equipment upgrades are planned for the Regional Wastewater Treatment Plan. The cost of these upgrades will be offset by the sewer fee increase of $2 per month. Implementing the fee will allow the City to fund these capital improvements without incurring additional debt. The new systems are expected to be complete by fall 2022 at an estimated cost of $4 million to the City of Maryville and $4 million to partners: city of Alcoa and Knox Chapman Utility District.
Wastewater Solids Management System Updates
Two equipment updates designed to improve the dependability of the system include installation of a belt filter press and an additional gravity belt thickener — tools that remove water from the solids during processing. The additional gravity belt thickener ensures a backup for equipment failure. This equipment is critical in the operation of the system.
A new Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection Process will also be added to the system. This system uses UV light to disinfect wastewater in a more efficient and safer manner than previous treatment technology.
The current disinfection system – which is widely used in the industry – uses chlorine gas in the disinfection process. Chlorine gas is delivered and stored in one-ton cylinders. While the likelihood of a catastrophic failure of a chlorine gas cylinder is very low, the risk associated with a failure is high. The newer UV technology eliminates the risk associated with stored chlorine gas.
*The process of disinfecting wastewater does not produce chlorine gas.
Water System Updates
In addition to the sewer system updates, the City is also adding to its water system capacity.
Capacity is limited in the 411 South area of Maryville, and with the new developments planned in this area, the addition of a water tank will be required to maintain appropriate storage space to match the future demand.
To prepare for the new tank, the City is adding an additional pump at the Walker Boulevard booster station which will supply the two-million-gallon water tank in Greenwood Subdivision. The addition of this tank will provide needed water supply capacity in this area of Maryville which includes Royal Oaks and the developments off Morganton Road. This project is expected to be complete in fall 2023 and funded from the available water utility fund.
For more information about the information above, contact us at city@maryville-tn.gov or call 865-273-3402.
Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant belt press
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