After more than a decade of discussions, false starts and delays, residents on Raccoon Mountain are one step closer to running water after a $4.5 million water extension package was approved by the Chattanooga City Council on Tuesday.
The resolution, which authorizes the city’s public works department to enter into an extension agreement with the Tennessee American Water Company, is estimated to provide water to roughly a dozen existing homes on the mountain. Some of those residents have to regularly trek fresh water to their houses from outside sources.
In total, 27 parcels would gain water access through the extension, though 15 of those are currently undeveloped.
Council member Chip Henderson of Lookout Valley, who represents the Raccoon Mountain area, said he’s spent the past 10 years working toward getting Raccoon Mountain residents water, although the process is far from complete.
“Approving the contract with Tennessee American, I think was a big step,” Henderson said by phone. “We’ve been having regular meetings every two weeks with the engineer, with Tennessee American, with the department of public works, and then I joined the conversation just to make sure that the ball is rolling and that we continue to make progress.”