Raccoon Mountain water project was moving forward before Chattanooga council member started talking cuts
Staff photo by Abby White / Bill Hailey checks the water level in his portable tank on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. A potential $4 million project to send water to Raccoon Mountain Road in Chattanooga would bring water to seven homes in the area. Staff photo by Abby White / Bill Hailey checks the water level in his portable tank on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. A potential $4 million project to send water to Raccoon Mountain Road in Chattanooga would bring water to seven homes in the area.
By Joan McClane 12 min read
Up until recently, before Chattanooga City Council member Chip Henderson began speaking out against Mayor Tim Kelly’s proposed tax rate, it looked like the council member’s longtime effort to get a water line to less than a dozen homes on Raccoon Mountain was moving forward at an estimated cost of more than $4 million.
In February, a city press release announced that the budget approved by the council included $500,000 for Raccoon Mountain Water Infrastructure, a project Henderson told the Chattanooga Times Free Press he has been working to bring about in his district since he was elected to office in 2013.
In total, $1.1 million has already been allocated for the project, he said.
Because of dried out wells, one couple in their 70s living on the mountain is bringing water up to their property multiple times a week and is among the small group pleading with Henderson, their council representative, for help.
Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Chattanooga City Council member Chip Henderson, seen during a meeting on June 10, 2025, has been trying to get a city water line to a handful of residents living on Raccoon Mountain.Staff photo by Abby White / Bill Hailey field his portable water tank at the base of Raccoon Mountain for the third time on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. A potential $4 million project to send water to Raccoon Mountain Road in Chattanooga would bring water to seven homes in the area.Staff photo by Abby White / Bill Hailey checks his water pump on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. A potential $4 million project to send water to Raccoon Mountain Road in Chattanooga would bring water to seven homes in the area.Staff photo by Abby White / A water pump brings water from the portable water tank to the main water tank on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. A potential $4 million project to send water to Raccoon Mountain Road in Chattanooga would bring water to seven homes in the area.Staff photo by Abby White / Bill Hailey puts a hose into his portable water tank to transfer water to his main water tank on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. A potential $4 million project to send water to Raccoon Mountain Road in Chattanooga would bring water to seven homes in the area.Staff photo by Abby White / Bill Hailey puts on his gloves before filling his water tank on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. A potential $4 million project to send water to Raccoon Mountain Road in Chattanooga would bring water to seven homes in the area.Staff photo by Abby White / The Hailey’s 1,000 gallon water tank is seen on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. A potential $4 million project to send water to Raccoon Mountain Road in Chattanooga would bring water to seven homes in the area.Staff photo by Abby White / Bill Hailey checks the water level in his portable tank on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. A potential $4 million project to send water to Raccoon Mountain Road in Chattanooga would bring water to seven homes in the area.
Another family with five young kids is having to ration baths because they can’t find water on their property and are also having to carry water up the mountain to live in their homes.
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