Latest update: March 12, 2026
Subject: Village Water System Update – Progress Is Moving Forward
Folks, change is here for the village water system, and it’s moving ahead whether we’re all thrilled with every detail or not. That’s just how progress rolls in our community.
The main installation kicks off around April 1, starting from the existing connection near the new Indian Rock Lake Spillway/Dam. County crews will bore under the creekbed and tie in the connector lines. This is funded through a lean, grant-supported state initiative—details have been limited so far, but that’s the reality of bare-bones projects.
The recent triple merger of Cumberland County’s water districts (now under the Cumberland Plateau Water Authority) has streamlined things at the county level, but it also means some notification gaps and board-level details got left behind. For the full backstory on how this all came together, your best move is to reach out directly to Mayor Allen Foster—he drove the merger process and can fill in the blanks. Any deeper questions or concerns should go straight to Cumberland County, not the POA office.
Meter registration hasn’t started yet. When it does, expect to visit the water office and pay $1,300 per meter to register. Hooking the meter up to your home isn’t included—you’ll handle that separately (or decide your own path forward). County codes might have opinions on going without, but I’m not your lawyer, so do your homework.
What can the POA office help with? We’ve got detailed maps showing exactly how the main water lines will run through the village and which lots they impact (some are completely unaffected—good news for those folks!). Stop by during business hours to view them, or let us know your lot/property details and we’ll snap a photo of the relevant section to send you. That’s one concrete thing we can do right now to help you plan.
As we’ve discussed before, our old POA water system has reached the end of its reliable life, and full replacement just isn’t in the cards—grant or no grant, contract or no contract. Life doesn’t hand out free rides, and the POA isn’t in the business of providing them either. The POA water district will shut down this year as part of the state-managed transition—it’s happening, full stop.
Quick reminder: If your 2026 water assessment isn’t paid, you won’t have POA water, county water access, or use of the Bath House. Just passing along the facts—we’re all adults here.
Expect some temporary mess—access challenges to lots/homes, possible interruptions—and plan accordingly (extra stored water is a smart idea). We can’t promise uninterrupted showers or dinner-time taps every single day during the switchover, but the team will do everything possible within our limited budget to keep things flowing where feasible. The Board isn’t making warranties, and residents across the lake aren’t footing this bill—this is a village-focused effort.
Let’s roll up our sleeves, stay tough, and step into this next chapter. It’s not perfect, but it’s progress, and our community has handled bigger challenges before. We’ve got this.
If you need those map images or have questions about what we can show you, swing by the office—we’re here to help where we can.
Thanks,
J. Pongratz
President, Board of Directors
CMRPOA
P.S. We’ll share registration details as soon as the CPWA provides them. Stay tuned to our website for details above this post.
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December 29, 2025
This page is where you get the latest public information on this transition for property owners in the Village. A staff of volunteers doesn’t have the person-power to personally deal with everyone’s questions on a one-to-one basis.
The local water authority has been preparing to move into the village with heavy equipment to install new pipes for the village/old campground residents. Southern Cumberland Water District was supposed to send out connection information in the fall of 2025, but did not do so.
I know of delays in the installation schedule, probably based on financial issues with the water authority, even though the funding has been provided for a bare bones installation in nine key zones in the county. The POA village is one of those zones. I have also discovered that when designing the installation, that engineers did not make a realistic estimate of rock when estimating the new pipe infrastructure. This is not good, and my business experience tells me that all this plays into the merger.
County mayor approves South Cumberland, Cumberland Plateau Water Authority merger
Just know that when it does happen, the new water system is a major upgrade for better reliability, lower long-term costs, and possibly improved safety. Just know that the old water system is 50 years old and becoming harder and harder to maintain. If the system were to continue, we’d be looking at a new well and pump system in addition. Total replacement of the pipes is estimated at no less than $500,000. Running a water district isn’t free.
You can imagine that a changeover can cause short-term headaches, and that the new water system allows for a year to install once they begin. A water outage for an extended period is possible. Low pressure is possible. The roads will be torn up and in disarray. The transition is likely to annoy and will certainly inconvenience.
Do what you can personally to plan for this change head on. Do not wait for others to do things for you. Please prepare emotionally and with personal water reserves if you live here.
If you live or own property in the village, you CAN be in the communication loop. To do this, send a text with your name and the words “water news” to sign up for notifications and the latest on the water changeover.
(931) 287-6695
Just remember that the Board will not be sending information to those that are NOT in good standing. Keeping up your membership is important. The failure to do so will result in the loss of all services and amenities within 30 days.
If you are NOT in good standing with the POA with current water payments, we won’t be answering your questions except at the Board Meetings or on this website through public announcements. However, you can contact the Plateau water authority if you are truly concerned.
Property owners in the Village should expect connection expenses to the meter that the water authority installs. If you have not kept up with your water payments to the POA Water District, you should not expect water service to be available for you, which will affect the value of your property directly.
J. Pongratz
President of the Board of Directors
Cumberland Mountain Retreat Property Owners Association