About Us
The Friendsville Utility Department has served the community since March 1965, when the City of Friendsville secured a $281,000 public facility loan to establish a municipal water system. This investment laid the foundation for providing safe, reliable drinking water and supporting the City’s growth.
Friendsville operates as a purchased water utility, with the majority of its water supply provided by the Tellico Area Service System (TASS). The system is supported by two master meters and has the capability to receive water from the South Blount Utility District during peak demand periods or emergencies, ensuring reliability and system redundancy.
In 1978, the system expanded significantly with the construction of an 8-inch water main connecting South Blount Utility District to Friendsville. Today, the water system includes approximately 150 miles of water mains ranging from 2 to 8 inches in diameter, two pump stations, and three storage tanks with a combined capacity of 871,000 gallons. The department currently serves 2,208 customers, representing approximately 5,000 residents, with an average daily water demand of 350,000 gallons.
Building on this legacy, the Friendsville Sewer Department was established to address critical environmental and public health concerns. A study by the Blount County Environmental Department found that more than 20% of local households were experiencing failing septic systems, many of which could not be replaced due to rocky terrain and limited space.
Under the administration of Mayor Andy Lawhorn and Utility Manager David Ammons, the City was awarded funding through the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) in 2019 to construct its first centralized sewer system. The system, completed in 2022, consists of a pressurized network supported by two lift stations and a master meter. Because the City does not operate its own wastewater treatment plant, wastewater is conveyed and treated through a partnership with TASS.
The project included the installation of over five miles of sewer line, much of which was constructed in-house by the City’s utility crew to reduce costs. A key component of the project was resolving long-standing wastewater issues at Friendsville Elementary School, where an aging system had been failing. In partnership with Blount County Schools, a long-term solution was implemented as part of the overall project.
While the sewer system marked a major step forward, the cost of connecting to the system has increased significantly in recent years. Initial connection costs ranged from $3,800 to $4,800 but have risen to an average of $20,000 to $25,000, creating challenges for some residents. The City continues to pursue grant funding, including HUD Special Appropriations awarded in 2022, to expand service and improve accessibility for additional households. The system currently serves 53 active sewer customers.
The Friendsville Utility Department is staffed by five full-time employees, including certified distribution system operators licensed by the State of Tennessee. We also work closely with the Friendsville Volunteer Fire Department, maintaining more than 70 fire hydrants to support fire protection and help reduce homeowners’ insurance costs.
Today, Friendsville Utility remains committed to maintaining and improving both water and sewer infrastructure, expanding service where feasible, and protecting public health and the environment. Our focus is on delivering reliable, high-quality services while planning responsibly for the future of our community.
Contact Info
Hours of Operation:
Office Staff
Monday-Friday 8:00 - 4:30.
Closed daily between 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Utility Technicians
Monday-Friday 7:30 - 4:00.
Office Phone:
(865) 995-0243
On-Call Emergency Phone: (after 4:00 pm)
(865) 985-9084
Address:
Operation Center
202 Endsley Quarry Rd
Friendsville, TN 37737
See map: Google Maps