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Sewerage group still lacks needed vital numbers
Present at the meeting were Probate Judge Charles Singleton, commissioners Alan Bailey, Willie Dixon and William (Termite) Beasley; Jessica Dent of Delta Regional Authority, Stacey McKean of Galbraith & Associates, Robbie Stevens of "Pure Flow," a water treatment company and several interested citizens. Mike Barnett, who has been instrumental in organizing the effort, said, "Judge, I really thought we'd have a firm number today. We're going into another month and without numbers, we're just having another meeting." With 300 given as an estimate for residents on Bates Lake Road, Singleton said, "We really need a firm number; we're probably looking at close to 800 now." Commissioner Dixon said that Bates Lake and Paul Bayou are the areas with the greatest potential for early growth. Singleton added, "We're probably pushing the 1,000 number mark." Singleton informed the group that Ciba will not assist in the treatment process. Officials there told him that "…due to business reasons, they cannot get into ADEM (Alabama Department of Environmental Management) permitting." Luker suggested a field trip into north Mobile County to see what South Alabama Utilities has done there. He suggested that a tank and pump for each home will run approximately $9,000. Luker also stated that it would be necessary to add another treatment plant and additional equipment for discharge, and the cost of the discharge field will increase. Singleton suggested that the estimated cost of the system had risen from $4 million to $10 million. Stacey McKean, representing Galbraith & Associates (grant writers) said, "We were looking at a $4 million loan. Ten million may change our approach." David Kelly, Washington County's environmental officer suggested that the E-911 system has the capability to estimate residences on the roads in question. A frustrated Barnett said, "I'm confused here. I thought we covered this two meetings ago. We can meet and meet, but until we get final numbers, we can't make decisions." Robbie Stevens, owner of "Pure Flow," a waste water treatment business, suggested that his company could handle waste treatment. Jessica Dent of the Delta Regional Authority and ADECA (Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs) told the group that they needed also to estimate potential growth in creating the sewerage system and stressed that the plan must be in place before seeking funding. The matter of a board to oversee the sewerage system came up and those present agreed on a five-member board: a county representative, a city representative, a McIntosh Water Authority representative, a South Alabama Utilities representative and an at-large member. Dent suggested they get the board functioning to prepare for anticipated growth (due to ThyssenKrupp). Dent outlined the process: county/city completes a preapplication which is then sent to the state; the state sends it to Delta Regional Authority; DRA selects those qualified; it is returned to the governor, who selects those who will receive grants.
The group set its next meeting for Jan. 8.
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