Pulaski Water Dept; Fairview; Minor Hill, South Giles; Lynnville
The Giles County Water Alliance met at the Giles County OEM facility on December 4, 2025 at 9am. A prayer and pledge were offered by Commissioner Evan Baddour. The minutes of September 22, 2005 were moved for approval by Commissioner Baddour, seconded by Daryl Williamson, and were approved unanimously. Chair Commissioner Erin Curry commented this meeting was not to “rehash” the Minor Hill issue, but to discuss the action items from previous meeting, and to have TDEC speak on their mission. The Chair of the County Legislative body Commissioner David Wamble asked all to keep Barry Hyatt in prayers for a health issue. The Chair, in giving an update on previous action items where Eddie Gordon, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), was to be invited, noted Mr. Gordon’s attendance. The Chair also mentioned a recent water regulatory forum she attended, the first of its kind, and now to do yearly, where the roles of TDEC for water resources were explained. Slides from that forum will be made available. While the Chair mentioned the County Executive Graham Stowe could not attend, but she also noted he had been in conversation with TDEC. The Chair then asked all in attendance from TDEC to introduce themselves and to briefly explain their role. They were as follow: Eddie Gordon, Environmental Program Manager, Natural Resources Unit, specifically mentioning aquatic permits; Brock Glass, Environmental consultant for the Columbia Environmental Field Office; Sherry Glass, Columbia Environmental Field Office; Eric Shiflett, Natural Resources Unit, TDEC Division of Water Resources; by video Erich Webber who has responsibility for drinkable water; by video Angela Jones, facilities; and by video Brittany Bajo, biodiversity.
Mr. Gordon addressed the question of which would be the best new water source for Giles County, i.e., Elk River or Richland creek. He said you would need a clean path forward, with Daryl Williamson, CEO Limestone County Water and Sewer Authority (LCWSA), asking which TDEC organization comes first when applying for a permit. Mr. Gordon answered the application comes through his office with Eric Shiflett’s office having the final stamp for the 401-water quality certification after applying for an Aquatic Resource Alteration Permit. The 401-water quality certification is required for any physical alterations to streams, rivers, lakes, or wetlands to make sure there will be no violation to Tennessee’s water quality standards. Per Mr. Gordon the organizations look at two different issues, one being quantity and the other being quality of new water sources. Per Mr. Shiflett, he would be looking at a 20-year projection, including peak demand; considering droughts; and looking at the facilities required as well. Per Mr. Erich Webber, by video, a site evaluation would be required including ground water study. Mr. Williamson asked how long testing would be required with Ms. Angela Jones answering not 12 months, just the initial testing, with Mr. Erich Webber saying some additional testing required.
Commissioner Evan Baddour asked after submitting the application, who pays for the next steps, with Erich Webber saying that is the responsible party on the application. The Chair said that is usually part of the application fee. Mark Hayes asked about site distances e.g., with other known water intake, with Erich Webber saying that would have to be considered. Knox Vanderpool asked about the 20-year growth study requirement, is that based on population with Mr. Gorden saying that is based on current demand, with Mr. Williamson saying all are intertwined into the existing system and how it all fits. Mr. Gordon said it will not be approved if there is not a need, e.g., looking at South Giles vs North Giles. The Chair mentioned currently using an outside source and Mr. Gordon said you have to provide an alternative option in the application process, such as buying from Limestone County. Mr. Gordon said he thought Giles County had everything needed. Commissioner Evan Baddour asked if TDEC would suggest what engineering services contractor might be used, with Mr. Gordon saying they cannot recommend. Mr. Williamson mentioned a previous RFQ done by the county with the Chair saying the county received three quotes but that didn’t go any further. Mr. Williamson said he could do an RFQ, with data from the utility districts, and then score them (not on price since an engineering services contract). Mr. Gordon mentioned Columbia had done the application process as had most users on Duck River. That data is available on TDEC website, or you can go directly to the other counties. Commissioner David Wamble mentioned that UT publishes some population data for counties, could that be used, with EDC Director Phil Reese saying it is county wide but not broken down within the county (such as North or South Giles). Chair Erin Curry said she knew the census greatly underestimated the Elkton area since many didn’t have mailboxes so were under counted. Mr. Williamson mentioned using hydraulics to move water across Giles, with TDEC saying you can but there are other challenges in moving water, such as safety of the water when not circulating. Ms. Angela Jones commented that you need the kind of rates anticipated, amount required, start a design parameter and provide engineering plans. Ms. Brittany Bajo said reach out to others who have gone through the process, and it depends greatly on where the intake is, for example, wells, small creeks have lesser impact. The Chair said that is why we need a consultant so we can figure the best location. Mr. Gordon said the Elk River is probably not a problem but with Richland you would be competing on who is withdrawing and that is first come, first served – so Elk is the better option. Commissioner Baddour said that helps to narrow down the options, although Mr. Gordon mentioned if another state is involved there could be a civil lawsuit; you should reach out to them, and have a public hearing. Timing for such a hearing was mentioned with an estimated 60 days after drafting a permit. Mr. Williamson said he did not see Limestone pursuing such a suit. Mark Hayes asked about asking for more water pull with Mr. Williamson said their growth study didn’t show they needed the amount originally asked. Knox Vanderpool asked if Pulaski Utility wanted to provide water, per Kirby Carpenter they have a 7M permit and have never pumped more than 4.5M, with Mr. Gordon saying that would be described in the alternative option. The Chair asked how long a permit is good for with Mr. Gordon saying five years with Mr. Williamson saying can reapply. Mark Hayes asked if you would have to spend more dollars for more studies in that reapplication, with Mr. Gordon answering typically no. Commissioner Baddour said he wanted to know how much county funding to put back so what would be the costs, and how to educate the commission and the public on that cost and result. Mr. Gordon said those numbers aren’t usually shared with them, with the Chair saying we can talk to other counties. Re the RFQ not pursued she said the estimated costs at that time was $450K. Mr. Williamson discussed who would pay with him noting if the county did that could affect the utilities autonomy, so perhaps should form a utility alliance or consolidate. Commissioner Baddour said regarding $500K for a study, that would be difficult for the public to understand and even more so if pay that and then not act on it. He said an option more palatable for the public would probably be to upgrade a tangible asset. The Chair said both the city of Ardmore and the people who went without water for two weeks would support such a study; you have to have water. Kirby Carpenter said it goes to vision, and not acting on it; but what you want to achieve. Member of the public David Howard said in business, you start small – need engineering firm to start, maybe part of district, Pulaski providing North, one big plant. Chair Erin Curry said hiring an engineering firm seems consistent across the discussions. Member of the Public Betty Streeter asked what is the vision of this Alliance water and is it for all Giles County? The Chair said this is our 3rd meeting and the vision is to determine a new water resource, and per Commissioner Evan Baddour to supplement existing system. Kirby Carpenter said with one source you have no choice, and you need another source to be competitive. Member of the public Dwight Larson mentioned leaks and lost water and the need to resolve those. He mentioned that Minor Hill had spent $800K to buy water during the last hard freeze, and $400K of that went to lost water. Both South Giles and Minor Hill commented on their significant ongoing repair of leaks to date. The Chair reiterated that the county government is not a utility district – the county is trying to solve those problems that are bigger across the county. Knox Vanderpool asked if the utility districts come up with a cost share so not all on county; find that number; question to Mr. Gordon – less regional or go to consolidation (Mr. Gordon little of both); to Eric Shiflett – depends on where you are – small systems have a harder time to keep up infrastructure and meet regulations. Mr. Larson asked about treatment plants and if Pulaski has an ordinance restricting on who is next door e.g., hazardous waste, with Mr. Gordon saying that is part of our responsibility. Commissioner Baddour asked about the Campbellsville spring which may have been tested before and possibility of that not being part of the water study. He asked if TDEC would get into that. Mr. Gordon said it would go through the same process and after approval that would be handed off to the Department of Agriculture.
The Chair in wrapping up all the discussion that action items would be: to talk to other counties’ utility districts; go on TDEC website to see all their input including engineers hired; and that she would take the lead in talking directly to the other districts. To the attending utility districts determine what you can contribute. She asked if there was a consensus on needing an engineering firm and Commissioner Evan Baddour answered in the affirmative. Daryl Williamson said if the Giles utilities would give him some of their processes, he would put together an RFQ with the Chair saying wait until have a consultant. Mark Hayes commented if we do this, the utility will also have to run the plant and pay for service personnel who will need certification. Daryl Williamson said you would need to agree on how to split costs. Mr. Gordon also commented that you would need a separate board for a plant. Daryl Williamson gave an example currently being used by Limestone, i.e. $2 a gallon cost, selling for $4.60 (a breakeven cost), and $8 to customer. Also, his utility is not building all facility at one time, just a piece and that cost is $25M. Commissioner Baddour said whether alliance or consortium, is there a way the county has some “skin in the game” and not challenge the utilities autonomy. The Chair said we have helped out in the past. Tim Turner Lynnville Mayor said for him there is also state oversight and would still have to get that approval before fully committing for the permit. Angela Jones mentioned the possibility of grant or other funding possibility. Commissioner Baddour asked if that would be grants for government and/or utilities with Ms. Jones saying both. Commissioner Baddour said since we won’t meet again until March, shouldn’t we get the word about how to properly run water during hard freeze with Josh Young saying he has already done, and Josh also said if you see any problem, let me know immediately so that he can obtain bottled water if necessary.
Chair asked if any unfinished or new business – and there were none.
Motion to adjourn was made by Kirby and Daryl and was approved unanimously.
ATTENDEES: Members of the Alliance – Commissioners Chair Erin Curry, Evan Baddour, Mayors Mike Magnuson, Tim Turner, Utilities – Kirby Carpenter, Chris Edgmon, Others Mark Hayes, Daryl Williamson (LCWSA), Chance Motter Others in attendance – State Representative Clay Doggett, Knox Vanderpool, Commissioner David Wamble, Joyce Woodard, Rickie Carpenter, TDEC members, members of the public