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Although rainfall amounts have recently decreased, the impact on Coffee County’s water supply is expected to be minimal with no conservation warning being considered a present.
Tullahoma has received only .22 inches of rain over the 24-hour July 4th holiday, according to Tullahoma Utilities Board records.
Rainfall had dwindled to 1.72 inches in June, after May had received 5.17 inches with April recording 6.29 and March receiving 4.94 inches, according to TUB records.
Despite the decline, Randal Braker, Duck River Utility Commission (DRUC) general manager, said Normandy Lake’s level remained Wednesday at four feet higher than it was the same time a year ago.
Water from the reservoir serves Tullahoma and Manchester through DRUC with future plans calling for the Wartrace water system to be served from the lake through a contract with the Tullahoma Utilities Board.
Tennessee Valley Authority listed the lake’s level at 870 feet above sea level on Thursday with 875 being the normal summer pool level.
DRUC lists drought conditions beginning at 864 feet with the water system’s intake located at 835 feet.
Braker said the level is at a stage where Normandy Lake is in no danger toward requiring any conservation measures.
"We’re going to be fine," he said.
However, Braker said a 100-year drought last year forced the commission to urge TVA and the Tennessee state government to take action to reduce release rates and improve the Shelbyville’s sewer treatment operations to where the city has its own water filtration plant, reducing the water amount required from Normandy.
Braker said TVA was releasing 170 cubic feet per second Wednesday while the lake was receiving 20, creating a difference of 150 cubic feet.
He said the release rate should be reduced.
"I’m disappointed TVA and the state haven’t done anything," he said. "It’s the same rate as last year."
Braker said TVA and state officials had indicated they were going to take measures during this past year to reduce the release rate and address the problem.
However, he said it appears nothing’s being done.
Although the water shortage conditions are not a concern now, it very well could be in the future, Braker said.
"We had a 100-year drought last year, and hopefully that won’t happen for another 100 years, but you can’t count on it," he said.
Braker said increasing Normandy’s water storage capacity should be considered to avoid potential future water shortages.
by BRIAN JUSTICE, Staff Writer
credit: www.tullahomanews.com