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VAW signs on with Duck River
CULLMAN — The Vinemont, Anon and West Point (VAW) Water Authority has signed on to join the City of Cullman’s Duck River Dam project, leaving Cullman County as the sole major customer yet to sign a new contract.
The VAW joins the Walter, East Cullman, Cullman water department and Johnson’s Crossing Water Authorities as local customers that have agreed to purchase water from the city until 2040.
The city currently sells water to the above listed water systems, as well as the county commission, through the area’s sole water source Lake Catoma.
Factoring in the customer base, approximately 53 percent of area water users are now signed on to Duck River.
“We’ve always had a good relationship with the city and use a lot of water from the city,” Joel Thompson, chairman of the VAW board, said of his decision to re-sign with the city. “We support them in what they’re doing. I think Duck River is probably the best route to go.”
The city is planning a dam on Duck River to create a 640-acre lake and a six-mile pipeline with a 32-million-gallon-per-day capacity. The reservoir would resemble the one at Lake Catoma.
“This gets us one step closer,” Cullman Mayor Max Townson said. “I’m absolutely glad to see it.”
The county has proposed an alternate project, which would include the construction of a new treatment facility to pump water from Smith Lake, as well as purchasing and upgrading the treatment facilities at Lake Catoma. The creation of a regional water board to oversee water distribution is also a part of the county’s proposal.
Currently, the city — through the Cullman Utilities Board — controls and sells all water distributed from Lake Catoma.
Townson has previously stated the city will move forward with the Duck River Dam and will not sell the treatment plant at Lake Catoma.
Water rates are expected to rise regardless of which project goes forward, though the increase will be smaller if more customers sign on to help absorb the costs.
Cullman County Commissioners Wayne Willingham and Doug Williams said the VAW’s decision to sign with the city will have little bearing on the county’s position.
“It isn’t going to affect us, anyway,” Willingham said. “We’re not wanting to compete with anyone, just wanting to get water at the lowest rates possible ... We’ve sent the city a letter with some of our concerns [about Duck River] and are trying to move forward.”
Concerns cited by the county include a lack of control over water rates, a potential limit to water use, a limit to the cost of the project and questions about water quality.
County and city attorneys have met and are working to address the concerns, though no agreement has been reached.
James Graves, chairman of the Cullman County Commission, said he believes Duck River is the best option for the area — though he is disappointed the city and county have not worked together to that end.
“From what I can see, Duck River is still the most cost effective option for us and rates would probably be a whole lot cheaper with [Duck River], as opposed to going it alone with Smith Lake,” he said. “I want us all to get the data, lay it out on a table and discuss it. We have sent some letters back and forth, but we haven’t really come together to discuss everything.”
Graves said he is also concerned prices could rise and water could be limited if the county goes forward with the Smith Lake project.
“If the water level drops, that affects (lake operator) Alabama Power’s ability to produce electricity,” he said. “They can reduce the amount of water we can draw and charge us premium prices. Plus, there’s no guarantee we would be able to get a permit to draw water.”
Alabama Power issued a letter stating the utilities company “has no position” in the ongoing debate over a secondary water source for the area in early November.
Graves said he is unsure when the county commission will make a decision to sign, or not sign, on to the Duck River project.
* Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.
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