County leaning toward Smith Lake for water source

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August 14, 2009

Commission considering abandoning Duck River plan

By Patrick McCreless The Cullman Times Fri Aug 14, 2009, 11:55 AM CDT

It appears the city of Cullman may never receive the county’s support for the Duck River Dam water reservoir project.

The Cullman County Commission is considering abandoning the Duck River plan, which would create a second water source for the area, in favor of another option that involves Smith Lake.

Cullman County Commission Chairman James Graves said according to preliminary figures provided by a Birmingham engineering firm, it would cost the county approximately $60 million to make Smith Lake a second water source. The cost estimate includes the construction of a water treatment plant by the lake, construction of a water storage tank and improvements to county customers’ piping to handle the new flow.

The city’s estimated cost for the Duck River project is $60 million as well.

Graves said that due to the similar costs in the two projects, both Commissioner Wayne Willingham and Doug Williams are leaning toward the Smith Lake plan. Willingham could not be reached for comment by deadline of this article.

“If we can treat and get the same amount of water for the same or maybe even a little less than the price for Duck River, I’d say that is a smarter way to go,” Williams said. “We’re still looking at the study and all and we’re getting real close to deciding what cost we want to jump to.”

In addition to providing plenty of water to county residents for generations to come, Williams said the Smith Lake option would provide a second treatment plant.

“If something were to happen to the treatment plant we have now, what would we do,” Williams asked.

The city of Cullman currently owns and operates a treatment plant at Lake Catoma — the county’s sole water source — and sells the water it treats to the rest of the county. The commission is currently the city’s largest customer.

Unlike Williams and Willingham, Graves said he is still wary of the Smith Lake idea.

“During my campaign, I was for Duck River,” Graves said. “But I haven’t reached a conclusion myself just yet.”

Graves added that he still likes the Duck River plan because the county would own the reservoir. Smith Lake is owned by Alabama Power.

“They do have the right to restrict your use of water if they want to,” Graves said.

Cullman Mayor Max Townson said studies have been done on Smith Lake in the past and compared to Duck River, the latter is still the better, cheaper option.

“We have extended an olive branch to the commission to make this project successful because we think it’s right for all the citizens,” Townson said. “They (commission) would not even be indebted on the bond issue. What we’re asking them to be is a customer.”

Townson said the commission’s plan would end up being much more expensive because they would only be providing water to about one-third of the county’s population.

“If the county doesn’t come along with us, it’ll increase everyone’s rates,” Townson said. “The more water you sell, the cheaper it is.”

And unlike the Duck River plan, which would have 100 percent of the area’s population shouldering $60 million of debt, the Smith Lake plan would force the county’s one-third to pay off $60 million of debt, he said. In other words, the county’s customers would incur very high water rates.

Graves agreed with Townson that county customers would likely have higher rates under the Smith Lake plan.

“If we go with Duck River, I agree if we split it, it would be less expensive,” Graves said.

Dale Greer, assistant director for the Cullman Economic Development Agency, said along with more cost, the Smith Lake plan would likely take much longer to implement than the city’s plan because of the time it would take to receive a permit from Alabama Power.

“It would probably take about two years before they (commission) even know if it is an option,” Greer said.

In contrast, the city is ready to move its plan forward this fall.

“We have a permit in-hand,” Townson said.

Graves said the commission plans to sit down with the city next week to fully discuss the Smith Lake option before a final decision is made.

Townson noted that even if the county pulls away from the Duck River plan, the city would stay on course.

“If they do not come with us, we’ll just have to look at other places for customers,” Townson said.

The Duck River project calls for the creation of 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. The project is expected to generate as many as 1,000 jobs.

Officials have been working on a plan for an alternative water source for years, though the issue didn’t receive major attention until the 2007 drought, when Lake Catoma dropped 25 feet below full pool. City officials worked with the Army Corps of Engineers on the matter and it was determined that due to proximity and cost, the Duck River Dam project was the most viable option for an alternative water source.

‰ Patrick McCreless can be reached by e-mail at patrickm@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131 ext. 270.

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