Athens Water and Sewer ‘being frugal’, prepared for growth
Published 12:54 pm Monday, February 20, 2017
Following a year when a nearby North Alabama utility warned thousands of customers not to drink their tap water due to chemicals possibly linked to child health problems, the spotlight has been fixed on water treatment and the quality of water provided by utility companies.
Athens Water Services provide water service to approximately 10,600 customers and sewage service to approximately 7,200 customers in the Athens-Limestone area. Following the retirement of John Stockton last summer, Frank Eskridge took over as Water Services manager.
“The wastewater treatment plant went under a rebuild before I got here, so it could give us a capacity for growth,” said Eskridge. “It also went under a process so that it will protect the environment more. Regularity restrictions will always increase and we are prepared for that.”
The treatment plant was built in the 1950s to handle seven million gallons a day. It has undergone two major renovations to upgrade to 9 million gallons a day. It has evolved from a trickling filter plant only to having trickling filters and digesters, activated sludge, final clarification and UV disinfection.
“We’ve got a wonderful, high-quality water plant,” said Eskridge. “We have capacity at both of those plants, so that Athens can grow. We want to bring industry to Athens and have the ability to provide for that.”
In August 2016, the Athens wastewater plant was named the Best Operated Plant Award from the Alabama Water and Pollution Control Association. Athens won for the third year in the category for mechanical plant operating at 5.1 to 10 million gallons per day.
Following repair and rebuild work on the plant early last year, Eskridge said the department is dedicated to staying under budget while maintaining the same service to the public.
“We are concentrating on maintaining the system,” said Eskridge. “We’re not looking to spend millions of dollars on projects. We are trying to work on smaller improvements. We are being frugal with our money.”
Currently, the Athens Water and Sewer Department employees 44 people.
