News Release: GPU Addresses Growth

Gallatin, TN - The Gallatin Public Utilities (GPU) has seen a nearly 600-percent growth in some areas of customer service since 1980, yet has maintained an efficient work force while completing numerous capital improvement projects to meet the needs of its customers.

"At Gallatin Public Utilities (GPU), growing to meet the demands of our customers is a constant theme." Said GPU Superintendent David Gregory. "Continuous operation is critical in today's economy. Our customers depend on us to provide consistent, uninterrupted service and assistance, should they need it, no matter what the circumstances. The most difficult part of our job here at GPU is to face the rapidly urbanizing development, increasingly stringent regulations and increasing pressure to minimize rates and still provide and maintain service our customers expect and demand. We are committed to that end."

To Meet that commitment, Gregory said the number one goal for GPU can best be expressed in its mission statement:

"Our mission at Gallatin Public Utilities is to improve the communities is serves by providing excellent quality drinking water, sanitary sewer, and natural gas services at competitive rates and in a safe, environmentally clean and efficient manner."

To accomplish this mission, GPU has adopted the following goals:
**Managing business with the highest standards of integrity and fairness.
**Being an innovative leader in the utility industry.
**Providing a well trained and customer oriented work force.
**Addressing the needs of our customers, employees and associates in a timely manner with professionalism and courtesy.
**Greater coordination, cooperation and work with all City departments.
**Working closely with consultants, contractors, developers and government agencies.
**Scheduling, funding and implementing major capitol projects.
**Complying with all local, state and federal rules and regulations.

Some of the most recent Capitol Projects GPU has completed to keep up with Gallatin's growth include:

**Construction of a new five million gallon water storage tank on Long Hollow Pike and the construction of a 24" water main extension from South Water to the tank site as well as construction of a 16" water main from Long Hollow Pike to Green Lea Blvd. This project enables us to provide water service and fire protection to new and future developments on the west side of town.

**Completed three new sanitary pump stations, one on Nashville Pike at Station Camp Creek, one at the Fairvue development, and one in the Kennesaw Development. Also installed a 30" trunk sanitary sewer from Nashville Pike to pump station in Fairvue. These sanitary improvements were installed for future growth and development on the west side of town and free up capacity downtown.

**Completed Airport Road water line addition.

**Completed Eastland, Jones Street, Oaks Drive sanitary sewer rehabilitation projects.

**Completed the installation of sanitary sewer on 109 South and Riverbank Court Area.

**Completed several sanitary sewer infiltration abatement areas.

**Installed sanitary sewer pump station telemetry equipment in 10 large pumping facilities.

**Installed sanitary sewer flow monitoring equipment at nine locations in the sewer system to monitor flow for infiltration.

**Purchased and installed electric stand-by generators for the Water Treatment Plant.

**Completed design of new Wastewater Treatment Plant.

**Expanded gas system to all new subdivision developments.

**Completed West Side gas main additions to improve gas pressures.

There are even more projects in the works to meet the needs of Gallatin and its citizens including:

**Expansion at the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Design and build a facility to beneficially reuse 100% of the biosolids generated at the Waste Water Treatment Plant.

**Extension of 6" natural gas main down Long Hollow Pike from St. Blaise Road to Station Camp Creek Road and down New Station Camp Creek Road.

**Replacement of Woodvale Sewer Pump Station and force main.

**Replacement of Lakeshore Drive Pump Station.

**Modernization and upgrade of the Number 1 Sewer Pump Station.

**Complete sanitary sewer system evaluation studies in the "A" Basins, as well as the "B" Basins.

**Replace the tube settlers at the Water Treatment Plant.

**Replace main frame and software at Water Treatment Plant.

**Design and construct sanitary sewer rehabilitation project to reduce inflow/infiltration.

**Continue water system improvements to ensure reliable water quality service to our customers.

**Expansion of gas system to serve growth areas in the system.

**Expand sanitary sewer to areas inside the city limits that do not currently have the service.

"Gallatin Public Utilities has grown with development over the past years" Gregory said, "And we will continue to grow and meet the demands of our customers in the future."