County applies for grant money

Sevier County is applying for a $500,000 state grant to extend a water line to more than a 100 homes located in the southern part of the county between Pigeon Forge and Sevierville on Jayell Road. If the county is awarded the grant, it would have to provide an additional $180,000 to pay for the water line which will be about 14,000 feet in length. Either Pigeon Forge or Sevierville will provide water to these homes once the line is connected. McGill Associates is consulting on the engineering project and assisting in the grant procurement process. Gary McGill, Principal at McGill Associates, said the homes are supplied with water from local wells. McGill said more than 78 percent of these wells have water contaminated with bacteria or have high levels of iron. If the Community Bloc Development Grant is awarded, McGill said construction could begin in early 2006. “There are a lot of folks that will need this water,” said Larry Water, county manager. “Because of our past success with being awarded grants, we are optimistic we will also be awarded this grant. This will be a great thing for Sevier County.”