CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Cleveland's water got a nearly perfect grade from state inspectors this year.
Recently two Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation inspectors spent two days examining Cleveland Utilities' water system. The water system gets an annual but unannounced state survey.
They docked the system a few points, but the overall grade is a 99 out of 100.
"A lot of good things were achieved,'' said Craig Mullinax, water system manager.
The system was able to show it has a plan and a budget for the few deficiencies noted in the report. One such deficiency is the need for paint on the third floor of the water filter plant building but not in the pipe gallery where water is treated.
The system also was able to show a plan of action for maintenance of water tanks.
Cleveland Utilities has budgeted $500,000 this year to rehabilitate the Eldridge Drive water storage tank, $250,000 for maintenance at the Johnson Boulevard tank and $550,000 for the Georgetown Road tank and booster pump.
Upgrading the water main along Frontage Road to allow the lines to be more efficiently flushed out will be an estimated $1 million project spread over two budget years, according to CU's planning.
"The state requires that you flush all dead-end water lines,'' Mullinax said. "That's a water line that basically goes down a street like a cul-de-sac, and ends.''
Tom Wheeler, Cleveland Utilities general manager, said the grade allows the water system to be promoted as a state-approved water source.
Contact Randall Higgins at rhiggins@timesfreepress.com or 423-314-1029.