The Town of Jonesborough’s Environmental Services Department is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, Collection System, and Pump Stations inside corporate limits and select adjacent areas of Washington County.
Contact
| Kevin Brobeck | Utility Manager | 423.753.1009 |
| Cobern Rasnick | Environmental Services Director | 423.753.1022 |
| General Contact | Town Hall | 423.753.1031 |
Kevin Brobeck
Utility Manager
Town of Jonesborough, TennesseeJonesborough’s Water Distribution Department is responsible for the maintenance and repair of all water lines in the regional system. The Water Distribution Director Kevin Brobeck can be reached at 423.753.1009. Kevin is a veteran of the United States Navy. Kevin has 15 years of experience in the water distribution field and holds a Distribution and Collection License from the State of Tennessee. Kevin is responsible for the engineering and planning for the water infrastructure for the Town of Jonesborough. The Water Distribution office is located at 110 Old State Route 34 and the hours are Monday through Friday from 7 am – 4 pm. The Town of Jonesborough Water Distribution has over 350 miles of water line in the ground and proudly serves over 14,000 residents of Washington County. Here at the Waster Distribution system we strive to give our customers the best service possible with pristine drinking water. Our Water Distribution staff use leak detection equipment and constantly search lines throughout the system for leaks and line breaks. Water loss due to breaks is a serious concern, and water customers are asked to report any unusual wet conditions they may observe along county roads or water line right-of-ways. In Northeast Tennessee, water leaks may not show up on the surface because the water finds underground sinkholes or caverns. In those situations, you often can hear water running, and customers are encouraged to report the sound of water running as well. Water loss can negatively impact all water customers if the loss requires an expensive expansion of the treatment facility before the improvements are really needed.
Cobern Rasnick
Environmental Services Director
Town of Jonesborough, Tennessee
Brad DePriest
Assistant Environmental Services Director
Town of Jonesborough, TennesseeEnvironmental Services Director Cobern Rasnick can be reached at 423.753.1022. The Jonesborough Wastewater Department has been making vast improvements in its infrastructure, operations, and customer service. This could not have happened without the hard work of all Wastewater Department employees and staff.
The Jonesborough Wastewater Department is dedicated to providing safe and effective treatment of sewer waste generated from properties within the Town of Jonesborough and select adjacent areas in Washington County, and to return the effluent resulting from quality treatment back into the Nolichucky River while not impacting the water quality of the river.
The Assistant Environmental Services Director is Brad Depriest and he can be reached at 423.753.1023. The Department Office is located off W. Main Street at 130 Britt Drive inside of the fence overlooking the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Visitors are encouraged to call 423.753.1022, prior to arriving, and schedule meetings as the facility is gated and access is limited
NPDES Permit
The Town of Jonesborough currently operates under a 1,000,000 gallons per day permit to discharge treated water from the Wastewater Treatment Facility into the Nolichucky River.
Wastewater Treatment Plant
The WWTP consists of the following:
- A New Headworks that removes trash, plastics, and grit from incoming wastewater.
- Two new 500,000 gallons per day Oxidation Ditches for a total treatment capacity of 1 million gallons per day.
- Two new clarifiers that assist in the separation of solids from the clear effluent that is additionally treated and pumped to the Nolichucky River.
- Two 250,000 gallons (each) Schreiber Treatment basins that feature both treatment basins and clarifiers in the same structure. Note: The Schreiber Basins can be used for Equalization Basins to capture high sewer flows due to inclement weather, additional clarifiers to increase sludge treatment, or as treatment basins and clarifiers if one of the new oxidation ditches needs to be shut down for repairs or cleaning. One of the Schreiber Units has been retrofitted to function as a Digester increasing the sludge removal capabilities of the facility.
- One large digester that allows the removal of sludge.
- One small “day Tank” that thickens sludge before going to a centrifuge.
- The centrifuge building that dewaters sludge so it can be landfilled.
Sewer Service Required
Residents within the city limits of the Town of Jonesborough are expected to connect to the Town’s sewer system if their structure is within 500 feet of the Town’s sewer system. Existing Septic Tank systems within the Town of Jonesborough may be exempt from connecting to the collection system if the homeowner can demonstrate the system being used is in proper working order. These approved septic tanks can be serviced by the Wastewater Department. Sewer Service will be billed in these instances to cover maintenance costs.
Irrigation Water Taps
Households on the Jonesborough Sewer System may purchase a separate irrigation meter in which the billing is based solely on water usage and no sewer charge if the customer can show there is no possible connection to the house or the Town’s sewer system.
Sewer Tap Fees
Sewer tap fees vary depending on various aspects. Single Dwelling households are served by a 4-inch tap. Fees for this size tap within the Jonesborough corporate limits are currently $2000, and an additional $25.00 inspection fee.
Backflow Preventors
Households on gravity sewer service are encouraged to install back flow preventers at the point of connection of the household sewer service line with the Town sewer system. Unless the Town is shown to be negligent in the manner in which it maintains sewer collection lines or an individual household connection, the Town will not pay for damages due to sewer back-up into a business or residence.
Sewer Back-up Insurance
Homeowners insurance that covers damage from sewer back-up can be obtained from a number of insurance carriers. Property owners are encouraged to include sewer back-up coverage in their homeowner’s policy.
Sewer Rates
Sewer service is billed based on water usage, and the sewer rate is 1.25 times the water rate.
Sewer Problems
Problems in sewer service can be reported to the Jonesborough Department of Environmental Services 423.753.1022 during normal working hours from 7 am to 4 pm on weekdays. Sewer problems can also be reported to Town Hall, 423.753.1031, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Problems with sewer from the house or structure to the Town’s sewer collection line are the responsibility of the home or property owner. Owners must be able to show the evidence that any blockage is in the Town’s line and not the owner’s sewer line.
