Image Credit: Jason Gilliam & City of Columbia, TN – Government / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By David Seal] –
Opponents of Columbia’s proposed water project point to less costly alternatives and sharply criticize the water rate increase that has passed on first reading.
A board member of the Maury County, Tennessee water board offered the following comment on the situation.
“Due to the overwhelming concern regarding the 149% water rate increase that the city council has already voted for in the first reading, a request was made to the city of Columbia to have a change of venue for the upcoming session on Jan 6th. This action would allow everyone attending the meeting the opportunity to have their voices heard. The city has DENIED that request citing “security concerns” as the reason even after the county offered to provide security at the alternate location. This is wrong on every level and we need to demand that they allow EVERYONE equal opportunity. The city council is already making a decision that the majority of the people who will be impacted have no voice in. Now they are further denying representation by not allowing everyone to participate,” said Jason Gilliam, Maury County Water Board
Gilliam went on to point out that the City of Columbia represents 49,000 residents but their decision will affect over 84,000 water rate payers.
The Hickman County, Tennessee Mayor, Jim Bates, chimed in on the situation citing concerns for the Duck River and the expected 32 million gallons per day of water to be drawn from the Duck just south of the county line. He expressed grave concerns about the water withdrawal in summer months when the water levels are at their lowest.
“As county Mayor, I understand the economic growth there in the community, but I also understand that we cannot afford to have such a low water mark here in Hickman County. I feel that water has become the “new gold”. There are several other entities, to the south of Hickman County, that use the Duck River for water for their communities as well with some of them wanting expansion because of growth. If this is allowed to happen, I don’t know if there are enough tributaries between the proposed site for Columbia Power and Water Systems new project and Hickman County.” Said Hickman County Mayor Jim Bates
A full copy of Bates’ letter opposing the Columbia Power and Water System’s project to withdraw additional water from the Duck River is provided below.
In addition to Bates’ Letter, the Hickman County Commission made a formal resolution opposing the Duck River water project, Resolution 24-07.
Prior to the date of the first reading, The Tennessee Conservative News published a news report linked here.
Link to Columbia, Tennessee City Council: City Council | Columbia, TN
Meet the Columbia City Council, Contact Information: Meet the Council | Columbia, TN
Maury County Water Board Member Jason Gilliam adds, “Maury County Water System (MCWS) has a current project underway on the East side of Maury County where it will be connected with HB&TS at the Williamson County Line. That pipeline is a 24” line, increased from 16”, that will be bringing 3 million gallons of water per day from the Cumberland River into Maury County. This project has a completion date of September 2026 at cost of $15 Million dollars, $7.7 million being paid in grant money. It is possible to increase the amount of water we are receiving, and we have submitted a request to see just how much water we can get. Our belief is that we could receive as much as an additional 12 million gallons of water into Maury County per day for approximately 1/4th the cost. Columbia Power and Water System (CPWS) is alleging that their $520 Million dollar project will be complete in three years, even though they haven’t even acquired all of the land needed for the easements yet. MCWS firmly believes we could have the upgraded project done in the same timeframe as the CPWS project. One other note of importance is that CPWS’s new intake in the Duck River is being placed in the river at the county line. That will take 32.5 million gallons of water a day out of the river right at our neighbors’ door. That doesn’t seem very neighborly, and it is certainly not what I would consider aiding in regionality. The Columbia City Council needs to defer this decision until a closer look at all of the other options can take place.”
In addition to the Maury County pipeline expansion (2026), the proposed Columbia Dam Project would provide, if it were to come to fruition, redundancy to the water supply in the region.
For background on the Columbia Dam, previous news reports are linked here.
About the Author: David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, 917 Society Volunteer, and past Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a citizen lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level. David is also a 2024 winner of The Tennessee Conservative Flame Award & has received an accolade from the Institute For Justice for successfully lobbing the TN legislature to protect property rights. David can be reached at david@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
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