CROSSVILLE VOTERS TO DECIDE FATE OF CITY WATER SYSTEM IN NOVEMBER REFERENDUM
On November 3, registered voters within the City of Crossville will head to the polls to decide whether to authorize the City Council to transfer municipal water and sewer properties to the Cumberland Plateau Water Authority (CPWA).
A “yes” vote grants the council the authority to approve a future transfer, while a “no” vote maintains the status quo while the city continues evaluating its long-term water needs. The referendum has sparked an active public debate led by a coalition of local advocacy groups—including the Obed Watershed Community Association, Concerned Citizens of Cumberland County, Statewide Organizing for Community Empowerment, and Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning—who are urging residents to vote “no.”
Key Issues Driving the Debate
Advocates for a “no” vote argue that critical questions regarding rates, local control, and infrastructure remain unresolved. Key points of contention include:
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Local Control vs. Regionalization: While supporters of the CPWA argue that regionalization can spread costs and improve borrowing power, opponents note that the move shifts governance from an elected City Council to an appointed regional board where Crossville holds minority representation.
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Financial Transparency: Concerns have been raised over discrepancies in financial reporting, including differences between asset and equity valuations reported by the authority.
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Water Loss and Supply: Coalition members emphasize addressing existing system water loss—which recent reports place between 17% and 27%—before pursuing expensive new water sources or potential new dams on protected local waterways.
Disputed Representation for County Residents
Although the water system serves customers both inside and outside municipal limits, only residents registered to vote within the City of Crossville are eligible to cast a ballot in the November referendum. This has left thousands of impacted Cumberland County ratepayers without a direct vote, prompting the coalition to launch a regional public survey to gather community feedback.
Those wishing to learn more can do so at the upcoming Town Hall with Council Member Dr. Fox scheduled for September 10 at 5:30 PM at The Depot.
