Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com
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| Wagoner Road tank site. |
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| Possible "composite" design. |
OVER $9 MILLION NOW
During a work session discussion about next year's municipal budget, councilman Burrell questioned the high cost for a new two million gallon water tank-tower on the south side of town.
Burrell said the cost of one when he was first elected in 2012 would have been only $2 million, one-million per every million gallons of water, but is "4.5 times that now ... 450% inflation ... that can't be right ... it's highway robbery!"
Mayor Sullivan agreed the cost was once much less, but replied "it is really $12 million ... spread over three years." She said it is the same cost though for similar tanks currently going up in Gulf Shores and Bay Minette.
Sullivan: "That is the going-cost for one now ... hopefully it will come in less when put it out for bids ... it costs $1 million just to paint one now."
Burrell added he thought appointing a "committee of experts" may be in order to further-study the issue.
(The city has received a $2 million federal grant for the tower and it is being re-designed in an effort to further-reduce costs, according to previous reports.)
NO ALTERNATIVES?
When asked later if there were any alternatives to expensive tanks, such as a reservoirs instead, Burrell replied: "I do not think that there are. If you had a reservoir, you would then have to involve much filtration to purify the water enough to use. Our aquifers provide such clean water that there is very little that we have to do to prep it for distribution to homes and businesses."
The new tank is needed to provide service to the new Point Clear Golf Club residential development (who donated property for it) -- as well as other future development on the south side of town.
The mayor has said a new tank will eventually be needed somewhere on the north side of town too.