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Maury County’s Water Challenges and Solutions: A Message from the Mayor

Issue #295

09 Dec

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

☁️ Columbia Weather - Cloudy with a high of 62 / low of 54

💦 Maury County’s Water Challenges and Solutions: A Message from the Mayor

🚒 MCFD Responds to Brush Fire on Culleoka Highway

📌 Tuesday: Free Holiday Concert w/ Maury County Chorale & Classic Vinyl

👉 Check Out The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Fun in Maury County & More Here

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

⛑ Looking For Ways to Help Victims of Hurricane Helene? Click Here

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Monday, December 9th

Tuesday, December 10th

Wednesday, December 11th

Thursday, December 12th

Friday, December 13th

Saturday, December 14th

Sunday, December 15th

More dates coming soon!

Maury County’s Water Challenges and Solutions: A Message from the Mayor

Credit: Duck River Conservancy

From Maury County Mayor Sheila Butt’s December 5th Facebook post…

"WHAT ABOUT THE WATER?"

This is a question that I am asked almost daily. This post will bring you up to date. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at [email protected].

After being elected in September of 2022, and having served in the State House for 8 years, I was familiar with the Jackson Law and immediately requested that the County Commission pass it. The Jackson Law prohibits a landfill from being within one mile of the Duck River. The City of Columbia had adopted the Jackson Law several years ago and for the County to adopt it just added another layer of protection. The Jackson Law provides that no new construction will be initiated for a landfill within a mile of the Duck River without the approval of the county legislative body. It made sense for us to concur with the city of Columbia who would also have to approve it.

During that same first winter of 2022, there was an extremely cold freezing streak and pipes began bursting throughout the County. I watched CPWS, Maury County Water, Spring Hill and Mount Pleasant employees work together day and night like a family of brothers trying to save the family farm. Their unifying goal was keeping potable water to the people of Maury County.

Since then, CPWS and Maury County Water have both applied for intakes from the Duck River. We all know that the Duck River is one of the most biologically diverse rivers in the world, and it is important not to upset the balance of nature in that river. Also, the recreation on the Duck River is an important aspect of our community and our economy. We need to preserve the Duck River to the best of our ability and those requests are being studied and considered with that in mind. We also know that we must have water for any future growth.

Very early in my tenure, it became evident that there needed to be a regional plan for future water supply. I was appointed to the Duck River Agency Board last year which has allowed me to stay involved in looking for solutions. After months of discussion with our Maury County water providers, TDEC Commissioner Salyers, Deputy Commissioner Greg Young and April Grippo, I met with the Governor and several on his policy staff on August 20th of this year. I outlined the nature of our problem with future growth and economic development unless we find another source of water in the lower Duck River Basin. Finding another source for us would also free up water for counties in the Upper Duck who are also experiencing tremendous growth as well. Our current water providers across the board were right at 80% capacity.

I imagine the Governor was already aware of our situation and that others had been bending his ear, however, he did commit to the group that day to work on finding and implementing a solution before the end of his term, including options for bringing water to the lower Duck River Basin from another source. That would also relieve stress on the Upper Duck and allow all of us to continue growing and prospering in the future. He was committed to exploring our options and developing a plan for the region. 

On November 20th, Governor Lee signed Executive Order 108 that will “Preserve the Duck River and Promote Water Resource Management Statewide.” This Executive Order confirms that the Governor is committed to protecting the Duck River and helping us solve water issues in our area for years to come. We are indebted to him for that. It will be his legacy to us.

There will likely be several options to consider. They will be costly. There will need to be unity and true team work from the Governor’s office, our Senator and our State Representatives, DRA, TDEC, TVA, TWRA, TWF, ECD, the State Legislature and all water entities involved. I am hoping to have an open work session with the Boards of all Maury County water providers in the near future. We need to be speaking with one voice. 

Locally, there is an issue between Maury County Water and CPWS concerning service territory. There are previous agreements that go all the way back to the 1970’s. It appears to be in the best interest of both water providers to let a Judge mediate that situation, so we will allow that question to go forward for mediation. I believe both providers are agreeable to that.

It has been my goal to bring many parties together to work on this issue. I know that Maury County Water, CPWS, Mount Pleasant and Spring Hill all have the same goal. Our mutual goal is to make sure that Maury County is supplied with adequate water for the future and that we preserve the biodiversity of the Duck River. 

Maury County Water, CPWS, Mount Pleasant and Spring Hill really can be that family of brothers working together to make sure there is adequate water for our Maury County “farm.” I have no doubt they are all committed to doing that.

As concerned citizens, let's all be an encouragement to them and everyone involved in this process of securing water for the people of Maury County and surrounding areas for many years to come.

My Best,

Sheila K. Butt
Maury County Mayor

See the comment section on the Mayor’s post here. 

MCFD Responds to Brush Fire on Culleoka Highway

Credit: Maury County Fire Dept.

On Saturday at 3:38PM units were dispatched to a reported brush fire on Culleoka Highway. Upon arrival units found several acres on fire and went to work protecting structures. A second alarm for more manpower was requested as well. 

Units on call: Brush 23, 26, Squad 32, Engines 22 & 23, Tanker 32, Division 20, and Chief 20. 

As units were on this incident two additional brush fires were dispatched across the southern end of the county which resulted in a mutual aid request to Summertown Fire Department. We appreciate their response! 

Tuesday: Free Holiday Concert w/ Maury County Chorale & Classic Vinyl

Please join the Maury County Chorale and Classic Vinyl as they present the Winter Follies: Rockin’ Around the Holidays. The FREE concert will be presented Tuesday, December 10 at 7Pm at Pleasant Heights Baptist Church (2712 Trotwood Ave., Columbia).

It’s a FREE CONCERT for the entire family!

Let the Christmas season begin!

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Monday, December 9th

Alyssa Hart, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

Tuesday, December 10th

Justen Harden, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Rockin' Around the Holidays Concert, Pleasant Heights Baptist Church, 7-9 PM

Wednesday, December 11th

Oliver Pigott, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

Thursday, December 12th

Todd Ciprian, Tito’s, Spring Hill6-9 PM
Josey Clay, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
The Malpass Brothers, Cherry Theater CSCC, 7 PM
Murphy Ridge, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM

Friday, December 13th

Rory Feek, Hardison Mill, 7-9 PM
The Merchants of Cool, Memorial Building, 7-9 PM
Joey Sykes, Grinder's Switch, 7-9 PM
Johnny Jameson & the Empty Pints, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
The Deltaz, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Escape, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Saturday, December 14th

TBD, Natchez Hills Vineyard, 4-7 PM
Murphy Ridge, The Rebel, 5 PM
Foster Party of Eight, The Mulehouse, 7 PM
Stevierock, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
Outlaw Apostles, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Bald Kernal, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, December 15th

TBD, Natchez Hills Vineyard, 1-4 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

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