Water improvements will prompt higher bills

By By Sheila Blackmon/The Meridian Star
Jan. 11, 2001
Southwest Lauderdale Water Association officials are planning improvements paid for by a $1 million dollar grant and $622,000 loan but improved service will also result in increased water bills.
Terry Boyette, association manager, said Wednesday the association is required to take out the loan to qualify for the grant both funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Office. He said they are required to raise rates to pay back the loan and put money in reserve. Customers will see the increases on their bills in April.
Current monthly rates are $15.50 for up to 3,000 gallons of water and $3 for each additional thousand. Costs are expected to increase to $19 for up to 2,000 gallons and $5 for each additional thousand. Commercial rates and residential rates are the same, Boyette said, but businesses and industries will see a greater increase because they use more water.
The funds were approved last week, but Boyette said he does not know when they will arrive. Association officials are busy getting preliminary work done such as getting engineer's plans approved and lining up contractors. He expects project construction to begin about the middle or end of this year.
Boyette said Meehan's treatment plant will be replaced, and the existing well will be upgraded for increased water capacity. A booster station will also be built on Meehan Savoy Road to provide more water pressure. The treatment plant on Fishlodge Road will be refurbished for increased capacity. Funds will also allow for painting storage tanks and possibly add another one. Boyette said water service will be more reliable and more efficient.
He said the association must first use the loan funds and then finish the project with grant money.
Sheila Blackmon is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at sblackmon@themeridianstar.com.

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mousey Brown

News

Russellville First Baptist Church receives historical marker

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Meeting a higher standard – Russellville High School JROTC

News

RCS BOE announces new superintendent  

News

Miss Dream Girl Pageant names winners

Franklin County

First Metro Bank hosts FAME Girls’ Ranch donation drive

News

PCHS holds annual Shelby Grissom Memorial Fashion Show

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

x