Construction Progressing at Cllifton's New Water Plant

The City of Clifton’s new modular water treatment plant, along with the water intake location on the banks of the Tennessee River are under construction. The plant will be the first of its kind in the state. A modular system enables the water treatment capacity to be increased as population and demand grow over time. The expandable system prevents the city from having to build bigger plants each time the area’s population grows. According to James Eaves, Clifton’s Public Works Director, the new plant is being built to accommodate 1.5 million gallons of water per day. It will use advanced treatment technology to eliminate most contaminants, such as PFAS (forever chemicals), from the town’s drinking water.

The intake site is located across the street from the intersection of Church Street and Water Street. A large platform barge can be seen anchored off the riverbank with a massive crane extending out over the water. Two large water intake pipes are visible, both with the ability to extract as much water as the current intakes put together. The new water intake lines travel along the right of way several city streets to the location of the construction of the new plant, which is located between Walnut Street and the City Cemetery.

Eaves stated that currently the city is processing approximately half a million gallons of water per day, therefore the new system would have the capacity to triple that production if needed. He went on to say that the estimated time of completion for the project is the end of May 2027. If all goes as planned, the plant could be put online by June of next year.