August 31, 2025
Water Leak on Vernie Lee Road
A leak has occurred on a main service line on Vernie Lee Road. To allow our crews to make repairs, water pressure will need to be reduced. This means some areas may experience low pressure, and customers at higher elevations may have no water during this time.
At this moment, we do not have an estimated completion time. We understand how frustrating this is, and we want you to know that our crews feel that same frustration. Water leaks are never planned, but when they happen, our team is committed to working as quickly and safely as possible to restore service.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to get service restored.
What You See and Think, What We Know: The Leak Conversation
When a water leak occurs, we often hear the same questions from the public:
- “Why does Friendsville Utility have so many leaks?”
- “Do they even know how to fix them?”
- “Do they know what they’re doing?”
These are fair questions, and we believe in being honest and open with our community. The short answer is: Yes, we do know how to fix them, and we’re doing it every day. But the bigger answer lies in decades of history, changing materials, and inherited infrastructure challenges that we are actively working to correct.
What We Inherited
Much of Friendsville’s water system was installed between the 1960s and 1990s. During those times, state requirements were not as strict as they are today. Decisions were often made based on what was available, affordable, or easiest, not always what was best for the long term. Over the years, several things were passed down to us:
- Smaller-sized pipes are installed to cut costs
- Water lines are laid directly on rock instead of being properly bedded
- Inconsistent installation methods, sometimes without proper fittings
- Standard materials then, but are outdated or even unsafe by today’s standards (like asbestos cement and galvanized steel)
These shortcuts weren’t taken out of neglect; they were often the only options small towns could afford. But unfortunately, we’re now living with the consequences.
What We’re Doing About It
At Friendsville Utility, we’ve made it a priority to modernize the water system. That includes:
- Replacing old and brittle lines with larger, safer materials like PVC and ductile iron
- Upgrading main lines to reduce pressure stress and increase reliability
- Correcting past installation issues, such as poorly fitted saddles or pipes laid without proper bedding
- Seeking grants and outside funding to avoid burdening the ratepayers while we fix long-standing issues
Each time a leak happens, it's not always just about a quick fix; it’s often part of a larger, underlying issue we’re working to address permanently. Sometimes that means cutting into rock, navigating right-of-way challenges, or uncovering things underground that were never mapped.
Why It Takes Time
Leaks don’t happen on a schedule. They come suddenly, at all hours, and sometimes in hard-to-reach places, under roads, in fields, or even on private property. Our crew works day and night to respond as quickly and safely as possible, often with limited staff and equipment.
And while it may seem like "just another leak," each repair is part of a long process of building a stronger, more reliable system, something we’re committed to, one pipe at a time.
What You Can Do
We genuinely appreciate it when residents report leaks quickly. Your calls help us locate breaks more quickly, especially when they’re not visible above ground. If you notice standing water, a sudden drop in pressure, or any other unusual condition, please call us at 865-995-0243, ext. 101.
We hear your frustrations, and we’re working every day to turn them into progress. However, it’s essential to remember that our employees are here to do their job, and they work diligently every day to keep the system running.
When leaks occur, especially during extreme weather conditions such as intense heat or freezing temperatures, it’s frustrating for all and often even more so for the crews who are out in the elements making the repairs. They respond day or night, in rain, cold, or heat, doing everything they can to restore service as quickly and safely as possible.
We appreciate your patience and support as we continue improving the system, one repair at a time.