Shown at the Marion County Public Water Authority’s grand announcement on Feb. 9, seated from left, are water board member Elic Reid, county commissioner Keith Nichols, water board member Barney Shackleford and Water Authority General Manager Eric Terrell. Standing, from left, are Marion County Commission Chairman Larry Akers, commissioner Tim Estes, commissioner Kenneth Cochran, commissioner Greg Gunnin, Sen. Garlan Gudger and water board members Jeremy Prestage and Steve Cox.
HAMILTON — Marion County Public Water Authority General Manager Eric Terrell opened a meeting with local, county and state officials on Monday, Feb. 9, by noting “this is the good stuff” and “today is a good day.”
Terrell was referring to $5.7 million in funds coming in for water improvements after years of hard work and effort by those attending the meeting.
Before giving a brief overview of current and pending projects, he outlined the funding amounts and sources. These included:
• $3.2 million through the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the Alabama Rescue Plan Act;
• $1 million from the Marion County Commission, with commissioner Tim Estes of District 4 pledging an additional $500,000 for his district; and
• $1 million from the Appalachian Regional Commission.
He then explained the current projects, which include:
• A tie in with Vina’s water system (through the Franklin County Water Service Authority), which will bring a new water supply into the west side of the authority’s system;
• State Highway 278 loop project, which will connect State Highway 233 and State Highway 129, and will have the ability to feed water from different directions;
• County Highway 30 loop project, which includes the Rock City area; and
• State Highway 233 and Bankhead Highway loop project.
Regarding the “loop” projects, water supply sections will be tied together, providing more backup and safety, as well as ending the need to regularly flush water from the system.
See complete story in the Journal Record.
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