Utility Review Study Results To Be Presented

Fairhope, Alabama

Fairhope sewage treatment plant

BUILDING MORATORIUM ENDS OCTOBER 2

The results of a natural gas, water and sewage capacity study commissioned by the city council are to be presented during a work session Monday.

On December 22, 2016 the city council enacted a six month moratorium ordinance on most residential building projects -- and then extended it for another another ninety days:


As far as we know, there will be no more extensions.


SEWER UPGRADES EMPHASIZED BY MAYOR

On her blog (click),  Mayor Wilson gives a preview of the findings regarding the sewage collection system -- summarized by the engineering firm that did the study.


The Capacity Study for Gas, Water and Sew Utilities conducted by Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood, Inc. (GMC)
Following is a synopsis of their findings.
GMC tells us Fairhope  

“… is facing a significant landmark in the life of its sewer system." We can “…allow the system to continue to function with its current intent and convey all of its sewage to trunk lines through the central business district and old Fairhope (but) ... these major pump stations and gravity lines have reached the end of their useful life and need substantial upgrades to continue serving the residents of Fairhope.”
Further, 

“It is recommended that the City make the critical infrastructure improvements indicated in the report herein to continue providing quality sewer service to its existing customers. 

Major pumps stations and gravity lines are in need of immediate (emphasis added) attention. Investment into the sewer system is vital to extend its life.”
GMC also recommends that we develop a sewer model which then may be used to create a Sewer Master Plan that meets all the objectives of the City and provides avenues for growth."


THREE ALTERNATIVE PLANS PROPOSED

Two of the alternatives being proposed involve utilizing the existing downtown treatment plant indefinitely; the third envisions new treatment facilities east of town.

Cost estimates for each alternative have not been provided yet.








Comments

Anonymous said…
There is another alternative. Turn it over to private Baldwin County Sewer Service and let them worry about it all.
Anonymous said…
You can ''turn it over' to anyone, but if there are no existing and sustainable pipelines there, how could that work.........to the stupid previous poster; because, we all know that if our current sewer system fails, we only need to hire another provider? How stupid are Fairhope residents?
Anonymous said…
They can use porta potties can't they?
Anonymous said…
They should have built anew one down by the airport years ago. another bad decision.
Anonymous said…
I thought the report was excellent though it showed there is no way to kick this can further down the road. It sounds like a second treatment plant is in order. Things are more complicated than I realized. The updates to the system, many which need doing even with a second plant were 6.3 million so I expect the total sewer bill will cost neatly 20 million. I hope the Mayor and Council are willing to bite that bullet.

There were fireworks around the choice of an insurance provider. Essentially only two bidders submitted and then one of them submitted a second bid a day after the due date. The council refused to accept the late bid and properly awarded the deal to the low bidder which was the other company. The Mayor wanted the Council to reject all bids or accept the late bid which must have been lower. That is no way for a City, company or individual to behave. Very unethical. I had felt the Mayor had good ideas but was awkward . After the recent revelations concerning the email investigation and her performance last night I am hopeful someone more ethical will arise to run for Mayor next time.
I do not see any of the Council leaving their day jobs and Mr Kant has issues of his own so I hope someone new can arise.
Anonymous said…
That was well said!
Anonymous said…
Great!!! Our taxes are going to sky rocket to provide services to all these transplants! Lets not forget all the local road work that is needed. If we need to evacuate South Baldwin it is going to be a nightmare trying to drive north.