Air and Water Quantity and Quality

Montgomery Bell State Park, Dickson County

Overview

It goes without saying that air and water are the sources for all life. Without abundant and clean sources of both, humans and societies cannot exist. The Middle Tennessee region is blessed with an abundant water supply through the Cumberland River Basin and relatively clean air that has become cleaner over the decades and in more recent years, as determined by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. However, there is concern from regional policy makers and planners for future strains on water quality and perhaps even more importantly, water supply. Unlike many western states or even Atlanta, the Nashville area is settled around a significant watershed—the Cumberland River Basin. Regional leaders and policy makers alike know that access to abundant quality water is a vital factor in Middle Tennessee’s continued economic vitality, livability and sustainability.

Why It Matters

Currently our region contains four counties that have either merging water conflicts or require additional water supplies. As our region continues to grow by an estimated 1 million more people over the next two decades, water supply will continue to be an integral part to ensuring our region’s economic vitality , high quality of life, and sustainable future. Not only is abundant water supply necessary for personal daily living, businesses and local governments rely on accessible and affordable water to meet budgets and plan for future growth. Regions and the economies they serve that are able to address water supply and demand upfront are better equipped to handle growth and supply demands as they arise.

Air and Water Quantity and Quality

Progress

CRT works with regional and state partners to encourage proactive water supply planning and policy through its GIS Greenprint Tools for Quality Growth. The Greenprint allows regional planners and developers to identify priority water sources in the ten-county region in relation to development patterns. By addressing the relationship of development and natural resources upfront, communities can make better land use decisions and policy in regards to protection and carrying capacity of their drinking water. At the local level CRT advocates through its Quality Growth Toolbox, several different development and planning strategies that can not only reduce water consumption, but can also help reduce costs to private individuals, businesses and government agencies.

Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations

The Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations began looking into the state’s water planning following the drought of 2007-2008. A Report released by TACIR in June 2011 revealed the following:

• The state must look toward regional evaluations and solutions. Individual communities and utilities are being encouraged by the state to work cooperatively with neighbors and other partners to more efficiently and effectively deliver water to residents and businesses.
• The Corps of Engineers is working with Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and others to develop a strategy for comprehensive water planning in Tennessee. This comprehensive evaluation is currently focused in 3 areas: two regional evaluations of supply and demand, an evaluation of current water use and availability beginning at Old Hickory Lake on the main stem of the Cumberland River and the reallocation of storage for water supply on a tributary project the first of which is on J. Percy Priest Lake.
• The TDEC in partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), The US Geological Survey (USGS) and other state agencies and associations are developing pilot studies in 2 critical areas: North Central Tennessee and the South Cumberland Plateau.
• Due to current withdrawals for water supply, there is a strong need for a Water Availability Study on the Cumberland River Main Stem.
• The Water Availability Study will determine the following: who is using the water; where is water going (Inter-basin transfers); how much is being used; how much water can be used from each Cumberland River main stem pool without significant impacts to authorized purposes and finally, if other purposes are impacted, how should storage be reallocated from upstream tributary reservoirs and what will the cost be?

Other Partners

Greater Nashville Regional Council (GNRC)- Regional Water Quality Planning

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TACIR)

U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Nashville

The Nature Conservancy

Cumberland River Compact

Harpeth River Watershed Association

Air and Water Quantity and Quality

Data

• The Cumberland River Basin serves a population of almost 2 million people in Tennessee and Kentucky
  Source: Power of 10 Summit, 2011
• 4 of the 10 CRT counties have emerging water conflicts or need additional water supplies
  Source: Power of 10 Summit, 2011
• Middle Tennessee’s current ground ozone (smog) levels have decreased over the past three decades
  Source: Power of 10 Summit, 2011