updated 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