Springville residents get safe, clean drinking water
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SPRINGVILLE, Tenn. — Hundreds of residents in rural Henry County finally have a safe, reliable water supply. Locals celebrated years of hard work Thursday afternoon as Springville dedicated its new water tower. “They were on well water, and it was high in iron content,” Henry County Mayor Brent Greer said. After years of uncertainty over their drinking water, Springville residents celebrate the water tower’s completion. “This is extremely important,” Greer said. “It gives the opportunity for more growth in our area.” Greer said before this project, residents had lots of complaints. “The water that they had, they couldn’t wash their clothes without getting the rust spots on it and different things like that.” Bobby Goode is the state director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development program and said this project was a long time coming. “We wake up every day and we turn on our faucets in our homes, and not only is it running water, but it’s also hot usually if we want it and safe,” Goode said. Thursday’s celebration also honored the late Amon Carter Evans whose mission was to provide safe water to the residents of Springville. “Today, we’re just here to dedicate this project to Mr. Evans,” Goode said. Goode said growing up in Henry County, he has vivid memories of the water. “I would hit the water fountain and the smell of sulfur would just take you back, and the taste would be very strong,” Goode said. Prior to the new water tower, residents used personal wells. The tank holds 150,000 gallons and can supply water to 1,300 residents. Mayor Greer said the project cost around $5 million. He said funding came from state and federal grants.
