Residents, town officials clash over sewage spill in North Fork Turkey Creek; TDEC and First Utility District involved

Residents and town officials wrestled with the aftermath of a sewer leak that people say wiped out wildlife along the North Fork of Turkey Creek during the Town of Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting on May 14, 2026.

David, the town administrator, told the board the town received a report last Friday about dead fish in the creek near Founders Park, then traced the problem north toward Grigsby Chapel Road where First Utility District (FUD) had been working on a sewer-line project. "They found a leak coming out at that point," David said, and staff immediately notified FUD and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and placed barriers in the park while agencies sample and monitor bacteria levels.

Residents described more graphic damage. David Nelson, who said his house backs up to the creek, said: "It is...an atrocity," describing dead fish and earthworms and saying he had never seen the creek in such condition after 32 years living there. Matthew Rutgers said FUD "dumped, I don't know how much, over 3 days," and asked who will be held accountable and how the creek will be restored.

Town staff said FUD is conducting regular readings and TDEC is involved. The town administrator provided contact information residents can use to follow cleanup activity: First Utility District's main engineering number (865-966-9741) and TDEC's external affairs office at (865) 314-1539. Staff said the town's stormwater coordinator has been checking the site daily.

Board members pressed for clearer remediation steps and more frequent public updates. Alderman Burnett urged the town to "publish readings" and to ensure FUD blocks access to the contaminated water; Alderman Kane and others said they wanted more visible cleanup activity than caution tape. Alderman Corey said the town must "stay on top of FUD" and promised to communicate findings to residents.

The town attorney told the board that primary enforcement authority falls to TDEC, which has powers the town does not, but he said the town will explore what legal and practical steps it can take to help restoration of the creek and adjacent areas. He said there are two separate issues to evaluate: the condition of the moving water itself and restoration of the land and vegetation along the banks.

The board did not vote on a specific remediation order at the meeting. Officials said they will continue coordinating with FUD and TDEC, provide contact information to residents, and report back with monitoring results and possible next steps.

What happens next: Town staff said they will continue daily monitoring, coordinate with FUD and TDEC, and provide additional updates to residents as new sampling results become available. The town attorney said he will research the town's authority to require or assist specific restoration work and report back to the board.