Columbia Power and Water Systems

Maury County, Tennessee

Updated November 5, 2025

As a regional water provider, Columbia Power and Water Systems (CPWS) determined through years of water supply planning that providing increased capacity to their system through a second river intake was warranted in the Duck River. To meet the water supply needs of the region in support of the 2013 Duck River Regional Drought Management Plan and the 2015 Maury County Regional Water Supply Strategic Plan, CPWS proposes to make improvements to the CPWS municipal water treatment system from the Duck River and the construction of a new river intake near RM 100 to meet the increased water demand in the area.

The project would be funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program (WIFIA). The WIFIA program offers long-term loans that can be combined with State Revolving Fund assistance, municipal bonds, and federal and state grants to help communities deliver critical water infrastructure improvements at reduced costs with less impact on ratepayers.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) requires that a TVA Section 26a permit be obtained before construction of any obstructions affecting navigation, flood control, or public lands or reservations across, along, or in the Tennessee River or its tributaries, including the Duck River. The proposed project would require a Section 26a permit for the construction of the new river intake in the Duck River, streambank stabilization, driveway with gate structure, and portions of a pipeline connecting the intake to a pump station located above the 100-year floodplain.

As the grant administrator, EPA completed the required EA with TVA serving as a cooperating agency. EPA made its EA and provisional FONSI available for public review on its website from August 12, 2025, through September 11, 2025. EPA received no substantive comments, and its EA and Finding of No Significant Impacts (FONSI) are final. TVA reviewed and has adopted the CPWS EA from the EPA and has prepared its own FONSI to cover issuance of a Section 26a permit for the components of the infrastructure project that are located within TVA’s jurisdiction, as well as the water withdrawal.

Related Documents