Rogersville receives USDA loan for treatment plans

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Agency approved the loan, to be financed at 4.5 percent for 35 years.

Voters in Rogersville on Aug. 8 approved a $5.25 million bond issue that will help pay for improvements and cover the repayment of the federal loan.

The city’s existing plant is three years old and would be tripled in capacity through the expansion. Plans call for the ability to pump 1.1 million gallons of water through the plant per day.

Also as part of the plan, the collection system would be upgraded to prevent stormwater from getting into the sewer collection system.

Work is scheduled to begin early next year, with completion set for 2008.

The city serves about 850 wastewater users, and officials expect that number to grow rapidly.