Published: July 02, 2008 05:16 pm         

Water works asks for continued cooperation

Editor’s note: The following op-ed was written by Fultondale Mayor Jim Lowery, who also serves on the Birmingham Water Works Board.

After suffering from the worst drought in Birmingham’s history, our area is finally experiencing some reprieve.

Rain has fallen. Our lakes have been replenished. People are conserving more water. Our water resources have been managed properly. Now that drought conditions are less severe, it is time that we begin planning for the future.

On behalf of my fellow board members, the Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB) staff and the BWWB family, I would like to express much gratitude to customers for their continuous cooperation and support during the long, unpredictable drought. The BWWB’s effective drought management plan, customers’ cooperation, municipal and law enforcement support and the media’s response have been exceptional throughout the long-lasting dry weather event. Now that we have survived the worst drought in our area, this is the best time to develop short- and long-term future plans.

Effective short- and long-range planning includes: the development of new water sources, supplementary water supply, management of water resources and conservation. The BWWB has already begun planning and is actively pursuing new short- and long-term sources of water supply. We would like for everyone to understand that a long-term approach, developing a new water source, is a lengthy and complex process. To meet our long-term water resource needs, we are evaluating a variety of alternatives to determine the most feasible approach, both economically and environmentally. Several options the BWWB is evaluating include: water intake on the Coosa System, a reservoir and/or water intake on the Black Warrior System, groundwater, aquifer storage recharge and raising the dam at Lake Purdy.

In the short-term, to help supplement water supply, we are conducting a project that will allow us to be able to evaluate the aquifers around Lake Purdy and determine how they can assist us in supplying additional water. We are also conducting a Quarry Study, which involves the analysis of various quarries to determine their feasibility as potential water resources. Underground mines are being evaluated at this time as well.

Water conservation plays a significant role in managing water resources, and customers should practice water-wise ways year-round. I can’t express how well customers responded during the worst drought in our area’s history. We ask for our customers’ continued cooperation and support. Conservation is a primary component of long-range planning because we cannot predict what will happen.

The BWWB has always taken the necessary steps to deal with unprecedented water shortages and has been successful in meeting its customers’ needs. One critical step is to request customers’ cooperation. During last year’s drought, the BWWB requested customers’ cooperation and they responded.

At this time we are asking for our customers’ cooperation once again. While the BWWB plans for the future by evaluating alternate water supply sources, we ask that our customers will plan for the future as well by using water wisely each day. Long-range planning will ensure adequate water supply for our children, grandchildren and generations to come. On behalf of the BWWB, thank you for doing your part to conserve our precious water resources. By planning now, we will be ready for the unpredictable future.