FAIRHOPE – COVID-19 economic relief plan money could help Fairhope expand its water system to meet the demands of population growth.
At the June 14, Fairhope City Council work session, Jason Langley, water and sewer superintendent, said the department is making plans to increase water capacity to catch up to growth.
“The growth that has come in the last several years and the upgrades to the water system didn’t follow through so we’re bringing back here in the next month, you should see out for bid for the new well at Treatment Plant 3,” he told council members.
Langley said geologists have located a new aquifer. A well at that site will provide an additional 5 million gallons of water a day.
“So, in a very short order without a lot of money being spent, we’re going to get the capacity up,” Langley said. “Right now, we’re in the 9 to 10 million gallon a day range. When this project that we’re talking about is over, we’ll be in the 15 to 18 million gallon a day range. This can’t be done overnight, but we’ve got a good direction and a good plan.”
The council voted to appoint the company of Kimley Horn to perform consulting services for the construction of a new water line on Baldwin County 33 to city treatment facilities and storage tanks on Fairhope Avenue. The estimated cost of the line is $1.9 million, according to city reports.
The council also voted to approve an agreement to receive $1.94 million in federal funding under the American Rescue Plan Coronavirus relief program.
Council President Jack Burrell said the Rescue Plan money could be used to pay the cost of water system improvements.
“I was thinking, Jason, that having to build a new well, probably put in a new water tower soon, this might be where we get the funds from to do so,” Burrell said.
Langley said the new transmission line will be needed to increase water-carrying capacity.
Councilman Jimmy Conyers said the increases will help meet city needs as Fairhope grows.
“I know you’ve got a lot of large projects you’re working on that are things that maybe should have been done previously and I appreciate that you’re taking the approach of trying to get them done, but also to get them done for the next 10, 15, 20 years,” Conyers told Langley.
