Utilities

Electric Power Electric power is distributed in Camden and Benton County by the Benton County Board of Public Utilities, through a contract with the Tennessee Valley Authority. The system is served by two substations of 60 megawatts each. The primary line supplying the substation is 161 kV. The Tennessee Valley Authority is the nation's largest producer of electric power. 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 28,498 megawatts. Electricity is produced through a combination of coal-fired, hydroelectric, nuclear, and combustion turbine plants. In fiscal year 1998, TVA sold 168.5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, or more than enough power for three cities the size of New York.

TVA has held electric rates stable for many years and is committed to maintaining competitive rates for its customers. Electric rates in the TVA region are among the lowest in the United States. 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 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.

Natural Gas

Natural Gas is distributed by the West Tennessee Public Utility District and purchased from the Tennessee Gas Transmission Corporation. The supply is furnished through an eight-inch pressure transmission line. Natural gas lines run near the industrial park and plans are being made to supply high-pressure lines to the park as potential users are available.

Water

Camden secures its water from the Tennessee River, six miles southeast of Camden. Pumping capacity is 3,000,000 gallons per day with current consumption of 1,000,000 gpd. Overhead storage capacity is 1,600,000 gallons. City water is available in several areas of the county.

The water is fluorinated. Each municipality in Benton County is supplied with city water services. Benton County Board of Public Utilities serves 3,923 tap water customers in Benton County.

Wastewater

Camden's 70.95-acre lagoon system sewage treatment plant has a design capacity of 5,000,000 gallons per day. The present load is 600,000 average gallons per day. Sanitary sewers are available to 98 percent of the city, and one percent of the city has storm sewers.

Telecommunications