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Division of Water Supply

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Alan Schwendimann, Director
6th Floor, L&C Tower, 401 Church Street
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 532-0191
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Post Flood Meeting

Post Flood Meeting Photo Gallery

The record rainfall of May 1 & 2, 2010 resulted in a one-thousand year flood that devastated much of West and Middle Tennessee. A total of 48 counties were declared federal disaster areas, and an estimated $2 billion dollars of damage was sustained area wide. All-time record crests were observed on the Cumberland River at Clarksville; the Red River at Port Royal; the Duck River at Centerville; the Buffalo River at Lobelville; and the Harpeth River at Kingston Springs and Bellevue.

The men and women from Tennessee’s public drinking water systems rose to meet the extraordinary response and recovery challenges presented by these unprecedented events. Examples of challenges faced by drinking water systems include:

    » water line breaks throughout distribution networks
    » flooded water intakes and wells
    » submerged water treatment plants and associated filter beds
    » excessive turbidity and debris
    » power outages
    » damages to pumps and valves
    » numerous communication issues

Without exception, these challenges were met and overcome. The rapid restoration of delivering safe drinking water to all customers occurred at a pace that amazed even federal emergency response officials.

The department joins communities and citizens in recognizing the dedication and cooperative spirit demonstrated by water systems during this period. In order to facilitate sharing on lessons learned from these historic events, the department also hosted a Post Flood Meeting on July 21 at the department’s Fleming Training Center in Murfreesboro.

The meeting provided a sharing, learning and networking opportunity for representatives of area public water systems to compare experiences from the unprecedented flooding. A total of 49 public water systems documented impacts from the floods and almost that many attended. Additionally, other area water systems were invited to participate and learn from the shared experiences.  Managers of five systems that experienced some of the most significant impacts provided presentations on the specific challenges faced and recommendations on how to handle similar crises in the future. Bob Freudenthal, Tennessee Association of Utility Districts Executive Director, also shared his perspective on coordinating and assisting with flood recovery efforts.

A highlight of the Post Flood Meeting in Murfreesboro was Deputy Governor John Morgan and TDEC Deputy Commissioner Paul Sloan presenting a special Governor’s Commendation for Exceptional Public Service to representatives of drinking water systems impacted by the May flood.

Drinking Water Systems recognized with Governor's Commendation for Exceptional Public Service during flood events on May 2010

These commendation certificates recognized the determination, expertise and cooperation of Tennessee water professionals that protected public health in our communities and averted potential negative outcomes from this flood disaster. The department joins Governor Bredesen in saluting all drinking water professionals and system employees for their exceptional public service in ensuring Tennessee citizens and communities continued to receive clean, safe drinking water during the 2010 flood.

View the photo gallery from the July 21 Post Flood Meeting.