The City of Smithville earned almost a perfect score in the latest sanitary survey of the water treatment system conducted by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Division of Water Resources Water Supply Section.
The Smithville Water System earned 596 points out of a possible 599 points for a numerical score of 99% which places the water system in the state’s “Approved” category, according to Johnny Walker, manager of the Division of Water Resources for the Cookeville Environmental Office.
The survey, performed by David Phillips of the Division of Water Resources, consisted of a records review to document the operational performance of the system, and on-site inspections of the water treatment plant and distribution system. The Sanitary Survey covered the time period January 9, 2012 through February 21, 2013.
In a letter to Mayor Jimmy Poss, Walker wrote ” the record organization has much improved. The records adequately reflect the improved operation of both treatment and distribution systems.”
Apparently, the only finding that kept the city from receiving a perfect score in the survey was that “all dead end mains should have a suitable flushing device installed. According to the regulations, all dead end mains and all low points in water mains shall be equipped with a blow-off or other suitable flushing mechanism capable of producing velocities adequate to flush the main. The material needed to correct this deficiency has been ordered. The Division appreciates the rapid response by the Water System to meet the requirement”.
The letter further notes that “recent major improvements in the Smithville Water System are easily recognized and sincerely appreciated. Mr. Todd Bowman (Water Plant Supervisor) has obviously gone above and beyond to ensure exemplary operation of the Water Treatment Plant. The customers of the Smithville Water System are very fortunate. The Division would like to thank Bowman, Kevin Robinson (Public Works Director), and their staffs for their courtesy and prompt response to requests during this survey,” wrote Walker.
During Monday night’s city council meeting, Hunter Hendrixson, Secretary-Treasurer said the state conducts these sanitary surveys about every eighteen months now. “The last one we had was a 94 (score) with several provisions. This was a 99 (score) without any provisions which shows our water system is top notch,” said Hendrixson.
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