Martin Area Utilities
 
   
   
   
 
Electric Power


Electric power is distributed in Martin by the Weakley County Municipal Electric System. The power is purchased from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and is delivered to the Weakley County system through twelve substations. The system has a total capacity of 220,000 kW and can be delivered at voltages of up to 161 kV.

Electric power is also distributed in the rural areas of Weakley County by the Weakley County Municipal Electric System.

The Tennessee Valley Authority is the nation's largest wholesale electric power producer. Through 158 municipal and cooperative power distributors, TVA serves nearly eight million people in an 80,000 square mile region across seven states, including most of Tennessee and parts of Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia. TVA also sells power directly to some large industrial and federal customers.

TVA's current generating capacity is approximately 30,000 megawatts. Electricity is produced through a combination of coal-fired, hydroelectric, nuclear, and combustion turbine plants. In fiscal year 1999, TVA sold 148 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity -- more than enough power for three cities the size of New York.

TVA is committed to maintaining competitive electric rates for its customers. Electric rates in the TVA region are among the lowest in the country. TVA is prepared to enter the competitive marketplace as the electric utility industry moves toward deregulation. Costs have been reduced, productivity and efficiency have been improved, and the range of services provided to customers has been expanded.

The TVA power system is completely self financing, imposing no direct or indirect burden or liability on the Nation's taxpayers.

TVA is a wholesale supplier of electric power to the Weakley County Municipal Electric System. TVA has been a leader in implementing innovative pricing arrangements which have lowered the price to eligible customers. These innovative pricing arrangements decrease rates for commercial and industrial customers. TVA's economic development field offices provide direct and customized economic development services with a goal of helping to create high-value jobs and increasing the production of goods and services.

All of the West Tennessee Industrial Association's service area is served from locally-owned systems of distributors which purchase power at wholesale from TVA.


Natural Gas

Natural gas is distributed in Martin by the City of Martin. The system is supplied by Williams South Central through a six inch, 800 P.S.I. supply line. There are two 26" and one 30" transmission lines maintained by Texas Gas Transmission Corporation which are five miles west of the city. The average heat content is 1040 BTU per cubic foot.

Fuel

Coal is supplied in this area from West Kentucky and Southern Illinois coal fields. Price is open to negotiation depending on quantity. Fuel oil and diesel are available from local distributors.

 
Water

Martin secures its water from five deep wells (all 12"). Pumping capacity is 4,500 gallons per minute, with pressure of 65 pounds in the mains at all times. There are two 100,000 gallon ground level storage reservoirs and six overhead storage tanks with a combined capacity of 2,000,000 gallons. Current consumption is 1,512,000 gallons per day (12 month average). The capacity of the city's treatment plant is 6,300,000 gallons daily. Average temperature is 58 degrees to 61 degrees Fahrenheit. This water has 99% rating on State purity tests.

 

Probably, the most economical water supply for large users would be from private wells. Ground water is available in this area from wells at 175 to 650 feet. A conservative estimate by drilling engineers indicates the underground supply at 25,000,000 gallons per day.

Sanitation and Sewerage

Martin's $5.26-million sewage treatment plant went into operation in April, 1988. The plant is an oxidation ditch-activated sludge, operating in an extended aeration mode. The treatment plant has a capacity of 2.5-million gallons per day and serves 100 percent of the city. Peak capacity is 6.6 million gallons per day.

Martin's wastewater facilities are highly efficient and are approved by the State Health Department.

Sanitary sewers are available to all sections of the city.