A settlement between the Limestone County Water and Sewer Authority and the city of Athens is very near, according to Mayor Dan Williams and city attorney Shane Black.

Earlier this year, LCWA asked the circuit court for a temporary restraining order against the city to keep the municipal water and sewer departments from extending any more lines into annexed areas.

The city, in turn, asked the court to enjoin LCWA from adding to or improving lines that are located within city streets or rights of way without permission of the city.

The disputed area is east and west of North Lindsay Lane, but any court ruling would affect the whole county, according to Black.

Circuit Court Judge Robert Baker ordered the sides to meet with a professional mediator in late summer when the parties to the suit could not come to an agreement.

“Hopefully, we will have a settlement very soon,” said Black. “Our discussions have been very productive.”

Williams said that the City Council, water authority and County Commission must all agree on the terms before it goes to Baker to institute a court order.

“I would see that coming possibly by the middle of next month,” said Williams. “We’re all glad to see a settlement come about.”

Williams could not site the specific terms of the agreement proposed thus far, but he did say it would entail an, “agreement where if one can’t provide service another could—basically, a circle around the existing city limits, with the city inside and the county out.”

Williams said that there is plenty of expansion possibility for city of Athens water and wastewater within the confines of the city limit.

“Our city limits are almost as big as Decatur’s; they are bigger than Madison’s,” said Williams. “We’ve got a lot of expansion possibilities. It’s not like drawing a circle and shutting us out.”