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Sewer Plant Nears Max Capacity, Spring Hill Looks to Slow New Development

Issue #505

July 24, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌤️ Columbia’s Weather - Sunny with a few afternoon clouds. High of 94, low of 73.

📰 Sewer Plant Nears Max Capacity, Spring Hill Looks to Slow New Development

📰 New Miss Maury County Pageant Kicks Off with Support from Miss Tennessee

📌 OneGenAway Hosts Mobile Food Pantry Event at Columbia State

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

👉 Your Guide to Summer Camps & Kids Activities in July! 

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

Sewer Plant Nears Max Capacity, Spring Hill Looks to Slow New Development

Spring Hill is facing growing pressure to address a wastewater treatment issue that’s been simmering for some time. The city’s lone sewer treatment facility is nearing its maximum capacity—prompting action from state regulators and raising concern among local leaders.

During Monday night’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting, city officials outlined steps they may need to take, including a temporary halt on new sewer hookups. The proposed ordinance would establish a moratorium on new sewer connections and require upcoming developments to explore alternative wastewater solutions.

Why the urgency? If the plant hits its limit, the city risks major operational setbacks that could harm the environment and put Spring Hill in violation of state regulations.

City Attorney Patrick Carter shared that environmental advocacy groups have already issued warnings and may pursue legal action. In response, the city has brought in a legal expert focused on environmental issues to guide its next steps.

“This is likely to result in fines,” Carter explained. “And a moratorium is just one piece of what we’ll be required to do to bring our system back into compliance.”

Spring Hill is now working with the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation to finalize a consent order—a formal agreement that lays out what corrective actions the city must take. Officials say this agreement could be in place as soon as early August.

New Miss Maury County Pageant Kicks Off with Support from Miss Tennessee

Miss Tennessee, Zoe Scheiderich, will be in Columbia this Saturday to help raise funds for the upcoming Miss Maury County competition, scheduled for November 8. The visit is part of a Spirit Day event, a local fundraiser designed to support the new pageant’s organizational costs and provide scholarships for the winners.

Four local businesses are participating in Spirit Day by donating a portion of their proceeds during designated hours to the Miss Maury County Organization. While one of the businesses—Vive Cycling—will host its fundraiser early in the morning, Scheiderich will be visiting the remaining three throughout the day.

Her stops include:

  • Towne Coffee & Cuisine from 8–10 a.m.

  • Baxter’s Mercantile from 10 a.m.–noon

  • Hattie Jane’s Creamery from noon–2 p.m.

Organizers are also seeking sponsors to support this inaugural event, which marks the first time Maury County will host a preliminary competition affiliated with Miss Tennessee America. The competition will feature two divisions: Miss Maury County for ages 18–28 and Miss Maury County Teen for ages 14–18.

Winners of the local pageant will receive scholarships and go on to represent Maury County at the Miss Tennessee competition in summer 2026. Ultimately, they’ll have the chance to compete for the Miss America title.

Open to contestants from across Tennessee, the competition also aims to spotlight the communities of Columbia, Spring Hill, and Mt. Pleasant, with hopes of creating a positive economic and cultural impact. Participants will engage in interviews, onstage questions, talent showcases, evening gown, and fitness segments. Winners will serve in roles focused on community service and fundraising, including partnerships with charitable organizations like the American Heart Association.

The deadline to register is one week before the November 8 competition. Eligible applicants can sign up at MissAmerica.org.

OneGenAway Hosts Mobile Food Pantry Event at Columbia State

Columbia residents in need of food assistance can receive free groceries during an upcoming Mobile Pantry event hosted by Franklin-based nonprofit OneGenAway. The drive-thru distribution will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Columbia State College.

Groceries will include fresh produce, shelf-stable pantry items, and other essentials. The event begins at 9:00 a.m. and will continue until supplies run out—typically around 10:00 a.m. There are no income requirements, paperwork, or pre-registration needed to receive food. Anyone is welcome.

The pantry will be set up at Columbia State’s campus at 1665 Hampshire Pike. All food is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Volunteers are also needed to help with the event and are encouraged to arrive by 7:30 a.m. No registration is required to volunteer, and the event will go on rain or shine.

OneGenAway regularly hosts mobile pantry events across Middle Tennessee, North Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle. The organization has also recently extended services to hurricane-affected communities, continuing its mission to eliminate food insecurity wherever it’s found.

Upcoming Local Events

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

Thursday, July 24th

Friday, July 25th ***Tennessee Sales Tax Holiday Weekend***

Saturday, July 26th

Sunday, July 27th

MORE EVENTS COMING SOON!

📌 Mark Your Calendars…

Aug 1-9: Williamson County Fair
Aug 28 - Sept 1: Maury County Fair & Expo 

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, July 24th
Troy Castellano, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito’s Spring Hill, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Neal Pennington, McCreary’s Irish Pub, 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Friday, July 25th

Live Music, The Spot, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Rob Harris, Tito’s Spring Hill, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Jason Alexander, Buck & Board, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Open Mic Night, Grinders Switch Winery, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Brittany Elise, McCreary’s Irish Pub, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Damien Boggs, Grazie! Italian Eatery, 7:30 - 9:30 PM
Golden Soul Revue, Puckett’s, 7:30 - 9:00 PM
Songwriter Series, The Mulehouse, 7:30 PM
5x5, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Saturday, July 26th

The Grasskickers, Keg Springs Winery, 2:00 - 5:00 PM
The Michael Fair Band, The Mulehouse, 3:00 - 6:00 PM
Carson Phillips, Amber Falls Winery, 3:00 - 7:00 PM
Tom Wheatley, Buck & Board, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
The Jim Brown Band, Mt. Pleasant Music on The Porch, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Mettle & Mercury Red, Elm Springs, 7:00 PM
Johnny Jameson & The Empty Pints, McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7:00 PM
Song Writers Open Round, The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Nick Duhe, Grazie! Italian Eatery, 7:30 -9:30 PM
Lynnmarie & E3, Puckett’s, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
MFT, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM
Scotty Morton Band, The Boondox, 8:00 PM

Sunday, July 27th

Cliftones, Amber Falls Winery, 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Phoenix Rising, The Rebel Bar & Grill, 4:00 PM
Jacob Frish, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

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