Groundbreaking on First Future-Ready Water Treatment Plant in Clifton is Jan. 8

The City of Clifton will break ground on Tennessee’s first modular drinking water treatment plant on Thursday, January 8, marking a major milestone in modern water infrastructure for the state.

The new facility is designed as a fully modular system, allowing treatment capacity to be expanded over time by adding modules as population and demand increase. This approach eliminates the need to construct an entirely new plant in the future, positioning Clifton decades ahead of traditional infrastructure models.

The plant is planned with an initial capacity of approximately 1.5 million gallons per day and will incorporate advanced treatment technologies designed to address emerging contaminants, including PFAS, while meeting both current and anticipated regulatory standards.

The project is supported through a $15.9 million Drinking Water State Revolving Fund financing package, including significant principal forgiveness tied to disadvantaged community status and PFAS mitigation efforts. Total project investment is estimated at $25.8 million.

City leaders say the project represents a long-term, scalable solution that strengthens public health, protects ratepayers, and supports responsible growth across the region.

WHAT: Groundbreaking Ceremony – Tennessee’s First Modular Water Treatment Plant

WHEN: Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 10am

WHERE: 108 River Ridge Road, Clifton, Tennessee

WHY IT MATTERS: A first-in-the-state, expandable water system designed to serve communities for generations