TACIR study hears wastewater officials warn of aging systems, capacity limits and regulatory cost drivers

Two wastewater operators who testified to the commission described distinct system models and the financial, regulatory and workforce pressures affecting sewer service.

Roger Goodson, general manager of a consolidated utility district in Rutherford County that uses decentralized drip/step systems, said the district owns and operates tanks and pumps for roughly 9,000 customers across 76 plants and that many early systems are now approaching the end of their 40–50 year expected service lives. Goodson said replacement bids for a large subdivision system can exceed $1.5 million and that his district funds construction and operations primarily through bonding and tap fees rather than local impact fee revenue.

John Strickland, representing the Murfreesboro wastewater treatment plant, described a centralized system that treats nearly all community wastewater at one facility. He said Murfreesboro’s permit is for 20 million gallons per day (mgd) and the plant averages about 19 mgd; engineering design capacity is 24 mgd and the plant can handle higher hydraulic loads during wet weather, but officials said they are approaching practical limits.

Panelists and commissioners discussed regulatory drivers that add cost, including Tennessee’s dissolved‑oxygen standards that are tighter than neighboring states and can require more expensive treatment technology. Strickland recommended flexibility in regulations where appropriate and noted technology and operational optimization programs can substantially increase effective capacity and reduce operating costs; he said procedural changes saved Murfreesboro about $12,000 per month in electricity in one optimization effort.

Both witnesses flagged workforce concerns: licensed operator shortages and an aging workforce are limiting smaller utilities’ capacity to maintain systems. Panelists recommended regionalization, careful soil/site review for decentralized systems, state optimization programs and targeted technical assistance as tools that could help smaller or underfunded utilities.

The commission did not take formal action but directed staff to continue information gathering as part of the wastewater systems study.