UPDATE on the Temporary Traffic Closure on South Farnum Street.
Nitzschke Communication has advised that the water will need to be temporarily shut off for a couple of hours during the connection of the new 6" line.
Estimated Start Time: Around 11:30 AM
Affected Areas:
- South Farnum
- Bowers Circle
- Academy Drive
- Dunlap Hollow (321 to 500 block)
- Love Road
- Endsley Quarry
We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we work to improve the water system. Please plan accordingly and consider storing water in advance for essential use.
REMINDER
Temporary Traffic Closure on South Farnum Street.
Nitzschke Communication will begin a water infrastructure improvement project on Thursday, March 5, at 8:00 AM, requiring a temporary closure of South Farnum Street to through traffic. The closure will occur while crews replace a section of water line across the roadway in front of 445 South Farnum Street.
Resident Access During Closure
To allow residents to access their homes safely during construction, the following temporary traffic adjustments will be in place:
Residents in the lower 400–441 block range should enter and exit using Endsley Quarry Road.
Residents in the 445–750 block range should use Dunlap Hollow Road for access.
Local access for residents will be maintained, but through traffic will not be permitted in the work zone. Motorists are asked to use caution in the area and follow posted signs and directions from crews.
Why This Upgrade Is Necessary
This project addresses a section of water main on South Farnum Street where the water line currently reduces from a 6-inch line down to a 2-inch line where it crosses the roadway near 445 South Farnum Street before increasing back to a 6-inch line. This smaller section creates a bottleneck in the system, which can restrict water flow and reduce overall pressure to nearby homes.
By replacing the undersized crossing with a properly sized line, Friendsville Utility will:
Improve water flow and system pressure for homes in the area
Reduce strain on the existing distribution system
Increase the reliability of the water system
Support improved fire protection capabilities by allowing greater water availability for hydrants
Modernize aging infrastructure to prevent future maintenance issues
The improvement is being completed as part of a Blount County ARPA / Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) grant-funded infrastructure project aimed at strengthening local water systems and improving service reliability for residents.
Friendsville Utility appreciates the community’s patience while this important work is completed and apologizes for any inconvenience caused by the temporary road closure.
Residents with questions may contact Friendsville Utility at 865-995-2831 for additional information regarding the project.
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.