Utility Infrastructure Meets Industry Needs

The existence of a utility infrastructure that can meet the needs of business and industry is vital to the economic development of any community. Morristown and Hamblen County boast a combination of reliable sources for power, water, wastewater services and natural gas and telecommunication services.

The variety of rate schedules and incentive programs provide the tailored services to meet every industrial need.

Power, water and telecommunication services are provided through the Morristown Utility Commission to both the East Tennessee Valley Industrial District, the Morristown Airport Industrial District and the East Tennessee Progress Center. The Morristown Utility Commission, through its affiliation with the Tennessee Valley Authority, provides service to over 13,000 customers. Wastewater services are provided by the City of Morristown.

Morristown Utility Commission is committed to preparing for the community’s growth by always striving to expand and improve services to its customers. The Commission and the City have strong reserve margins for meeting the demands for electric, water and sewer services. The Commission operates a Fiber to the Home optical network to provide high speed, reliable communication needs for businesses.

Natural gas service is available through the services of Atmos Energy Company, a private distributor, serving 6,000 customers in Morristown and Hamblen County. The company is supplied by East Tennessee Natural Gas Company with two lines into Morristown—an eight-inch line and a four-inch line. Natural gas and propane are available in both the East Tennessee Valley Industrial District, the Morristown Airport Industrial District and the East Tennessee Progress Center. Rates for this service are available upon request from United Cities Gas Co.

Solid waste disposal issues can be addressed by the Morristown Hamblen Solid Waste Board who operate the community’s state-of-the-art landfill.

All local utility providers partner with the City of Morristown and the Chamber of Commerce to help meet the needs of new and expanding industry. Representatives from the utilities are available to meet with industrial customers to provide assistance on rate calculation, utility site information and other technical information.

Morristown Utility System

For a current list of utility rates, please visit www.morristownutilities.org

Water Treatment Plant Prospectus

Water Sources

• Cherokee Lake

The Morristown Water Treatment Plant process consists of coagulation, sedimentation, and filtration with eight mixed media filters. Potassium Permanganate and coagulant is added in the flash mix, then fluoride and corrosion inhibitor is added after filtration Water is then filtered again through a deep bed Granular Activated Carbon Contactor. Chlorine is added to the effluent of the carbon contractor.

Morristown Sewer System

The Morristown Sewer System has a secondary wastewater treatment facility with a maximum treatment capacity of 7.5 million gallons per day. Currently, the facility treats an average of 5.0 million gallons per day, and can be expanded to 10 million gallons per day when demand deems necessary.

Sewer Permit Fees

1. Class II - Commercial
A. application fee - $50.00
B. annual renewal fee - $50.00

2. Class III - Industrial
A. application fee - $250.00
B. annual renewal fee - $250.00

3. Class IV - Special
A. Septic tank pumpers
1. application fee - $15.00
2. annual renewal fee - $15.00
B. Nonresidential batch discharge - $250.00
C. Grease and sediment traps
1. application fee - $15.00
2. annual renewal fee - $15.00

Connection Fees

1. Office, Professional and Commercial
$500.00 per floor up to 10,000 gross square feet of floor area, and $250.00 per 5,000 gross square feet or portion thereof in excess of 10,000 square feet.

2. Industrial Users
$500.00 per 10,000 gross square feet of floor area, and $125.00 per 5,000 gross square feet or portion thereof in excess of 10,000 gross square feet.

Sewer Use Fees

The sewer use fee for Residential, Commercial and Industrial Users located within the corporate limits of the City of Morristown is $1.94 per thousand gallons of potable water used, with a minimum monthly charge of $3.88.

The City can also provide sewer services to entities located outside the corporate limits of the City, however the entity will be charged the same fees, including minimum charges, times a factor of two (2) to adequately compensate the City for utilization of POTW capacity and excess operating and maintenance cost.

Commercial and Industrial
Surcharge Fees

Normal concentrations of compatible pollutants are defined as 250 mg/l of BOD, 250 mg/l of TSS and 100 mg/l of FOG. The City may accept waste treatment at the POTW that contains excessive quantities of compatible pollutants. In the event the City elects to accept such waste for treatment, a surcharge shall be charged based upon the strength of the discharge up to the maximum levels established herein. Wastes that exceed the maximum levels established shall be deemed to be non-compatible, and shall not be accepted for treatment by the POTW except as specified. There is a specific calculation for this surcharge and can be calculated by the sewer system.

The surcharge rate for BOD will be $0.10/lb., the TSS rate is $0.08/lb., and the FOG rate is $0.12/lb. These rates are based on the actual costs to the City and shall be evaluated not less than every two years by the City.

Gas - Atmos Energy

Mission Statement

The mission of Atmos Energy and its subsidiaries is to provide safe, dependable natural gas and other services to existing and future customers at the lowest possible cost, utilizing competent and fairly treated employees, while earning a fair rate of return on the Company’s investment.

Atmos Energy - Your Natural Gas Supplier

We strive to make working with us a pleasure. Atmos Energy works with you from the planning stages through completion to assist you in designing, developing and implementing the most energy-efficient and cost effective way of doing business.
We have a staff of energy professionals who will serve as consultants through every phase of your relocation, startup or modification project. Our highly trained engineers have experience in working with all types of industry. We will not only analyze your needs and make recommendations, but you can count on us to be on site with you every step along the way.

Our Commitment to Industry

Innovation, quality service and next-generation technology - combined with round-the-clock monitoring of gas supplies through 13 different pipelines - enable us to help you stay ahead of your competition. By purchasing our natural gas through a combination of short-term spot market and long-term supply contracts, and by keeping a close eye on regulatory changes in the gas supply business, we can assure you of a reliable flow of the lowest-cost natural gas.

And, with the arrival of FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) Order 636, Atmos Energy will be able to serve your individual needs more effectively than ever before. The order requires interstate pipelines to unbundle their sales, transportation and storage services, and that means greater flexibility and better prices for all our customers.

Atmos Energy serves over 700 industrial customers. That translates to only about one-quarter of one percent of all our customers. Yet they represent nearly 30% of our revenues. So, we mean it when we say it’s in our company’s best interest for your business to be profitable and successful. And we’re committed to helping you achieve those goals.
Industrial Rates

Firm Rate:

This rate provides uninterrupted natural gas supply 24 hours a day.

Optional Rate:

Qualifying industries have the option to select this discounted rate. Historically, this rate has averaged less than $3/Mcf.

Transportation Rate:

Qualifying industries may elect to transport their own gas. Before choosing this rate, our industrial marketing staff can help a company compare burner tip prices.

Economic Development Rate:

This rate is available to qualifying new industries or those who plan to expand their current business.