New Site considers waterline proposal

By Katie Cole (Contact) | Alex City Outlook

Published Tuesday, November 10, 2009

The New Site City Council discussed extending water lines on several roads during its regular meeting Monday.

A group of residents from Tallapoosa County Road 79 attended the meeting to ask the council to consider placing a line on 79.The residents had already contacted State Rep. Betty Carol Graham, who advised them to contact the council. Graham also told the residents she would support the city in obtaining a grant if they chose to extend the water lines.

“I would think with the way the government is right now with all these giveaways, this would be a good time to apply for a grant,” said Charles “Eddie” Keeter, a County Road 79 resident who attended the meeting.

The council was supportive of the idea, but expressed concern about the feasibility of it, including the cost and addressing other areas that need water, including Veasey Road and Simpson Road.

“We’ve got two or three other areas in town we’ve wanted to get water to,” said Mayor Curtis Mims. “We’d have to address that at the same time.”

County Road 79 resident Johnny Germany said houses and churches on the road often have water shortages. Fire insurance is also more expensive because of the lack of nearby hydrants. The residents estimated about 16 to 20 homes on a two-mile stretch of the road would be interested in connecting to the city water line if it were extended.

The council decided to look into the cost of placing the water line and possible grants.

The council also discussed raising Daviston’s water rate, which was last raised from $1.49 to $2 per thousand gallons in 2005. Daviston’s mayor or a council member will attend a future New Site council meeting to discuss the changes, and Daviston will likely request a study from the Rural Water Association to determine how much the rate should change.

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