Fontana Dam – Local officials had a hunch that the town’s main water pipe was losing water.
Their suspicions were confirmed when new pipes were laid.
Fontana Dam Town Manager Zelerie Rogers said the average amount of water the town pulls from the lake went from 267,000 gallons a day in May, to 141,000 per day so far in June.
It’s an improvement, but the town still must draw 40 percent more water than it needs just to compensate for the water still leaking from older sections of water main that haven’t been replaced.
The town’s water plant has been able to reduce its hours of operation from 14 hours a day to just over eight, Rogers said.
“Our water loss has been cut in half,” she said.
The replaced section – located between the water plant and the Fontana Dam marina – was brought online in early June. The price has not been fully tabulated and bills are still arriving, Rogers said, but the cost was footed by Fontana Village Resort, the town’s main water customer.
With a population of just over 30, the town has just five property owners – the Tennessee Valley Authority by far the largest and three residential properties in Fontana Heights whose owners are seeking to sever ties with the town by de-annexing.
Coca-Cola Corporation owns equipment in town and pays about $80 a year in property taxes, Rogers said.
Numbers approved
The town council approved the town’s 2022-23 budget at its June 15 meeting.
The two-page budget ordinance anticipates to collect $160,667 during the year, primarily from user fees expected at $144,000. Sales tax revenue is expected to come in at $1,222. Expenses are budgeted for $160,667, with no surplus.
The biggest expense is administrative, at $67,960. The town is setting aside $56,176 for maintenance.
The council also approved a Utility Fund budget of $86,900 in income, including $80,900 from the resort and $86,900 in expenses.