Maynardville residents, kick up your boots and enjoy a nice, ice cold glass of tap water as it is the Best Tasting in the state. At the monthly Maynardville City Council meeting on May 11, 2021, Tennessee Association of Utility Districts (TAUD) representatives, Michael Keaton and Kevin Byrd, attended to proudly present the award of Best Tasting Water in Tennessee to the Union County’s very own Maynardville Utility Department (MUD).

The long overdue award was presented to the utility department crew as the spotlight of the meeting. The recognition of this achievement was of no surprise, as Maynardville has some of the highest quality water around. In the words of Mr. Keaton, “If y’all don’t know it already, you have a water department that is second to none.”

Keaton stated that it is very clear that these fellows take their training very seriously. This is not the first time that the city has been granted these honors, a few years ago, in 2012, the department also achieved the accomplishment. It was recognized that MUD has a fine facility that is well managed with an excellent water treatment status.

TAUD has eleven regions across the state with MUD being in Region 3. As the state winner, a sample was advanced to the National Water Legislative Rally in Washington, DC. The next Region 3 meeting is scheduled for June 3 at the Museum of Appalachia and Keaton says he expects they will defend their title. Mayor Blakely followed the award with a gracious thanks to everyone at Maynardville Utility Department, recognizing that the award spoke very highly of the hard work and dedication that had been input. What an accomplishment for our fine city.

As an update for the splash pad, notice the nice new guard rail added along Maynardville Highway as you pass by, added for the safety of the children at the pad. The three major steps upcoming with the splash pad are the parking lot which bids open for at the end of May with hopes of completing installation by end of September; the fencing to be placed in October, following the completion of parking areas; and the tank system which is underway as well. The pandemic strongly played a part in slowing this process down causing a lot of fighting of unexpected avenues and supply chains. It is hopeful that the park will open for the next summer's season.

All in all it is clear that big things are happening for the City of Maynardville and it continues to grow exponentially in so many aspects. Thanks to all the hardworking individuals in the office, in the field, at the water and sewer plants, and behind the scenes for all the projects bestowed upon, as was presented you are second to none.