Sparta’s sewer system showing improvements as all the recent rainfall has not caused any sewer overflows.
TDEC imposed a sewer moratorium on the city in 2022, because of numerous overflow issues. Sparta Public Works Director Dillard Quick said weathering the recent storms with no issues….a major accomplishment.
“It’s a big thing for us because, you know, when the state put the moratorium on us, you know, it kind of affects the whole city as far as growth, as far as building,” Quick said. “So we are proud that it’s turned in the right direction.”
Quick said the city has spent more than an estimated $10 million over the past 12 years to address sewer overflow. Quick said the work has drastically improved the city’s sewer system.
“Used to we would have a half-inch rain and we would overflow for a day or a day and a half,” Quick said. “And now we can get a two-inch rain and, you know, it will get close to overflowing, but you know, we don’t have any issues and it’s just because of the work of everybody combined.”
Quick said most of the work consisted of point repairs, repairing manholes, installing new sewer lines, and new pump stations. Quick expressed that the work that has been completed would not fully prevent sewer overflow.
“Now, if we get a big rain, three-four inches, we are gonna have overflows just like anybody else in the state,” Quick said. “You know, whether it’s at a pump station, whether it’s at a manhole, or at the sewer plant. I mean, some rains you just can’t help to have an overflow because the water is gonna take the least resistant path.”
Quick said that when sewer overflows, most people notice the smell. Quick said the city has not received anywhere near as many calls from residents as it used to.
