Homebuilders who move the Limestone County Water & Sewer Authority’s meters now face fines after the utility’s board voted Thursday to update its policy.

LCWSA Chief Executive Officer Daryl Williamson told the board that planned developments are being accepted into the utility’s system after water lines have been run and meters placed. However, he said the developer will then sell a parcel to a homebuilder, who then moves the meter to accommodate a driveway.

“The developer and builder don’t communicate on how the driveway placement and house plans tie together,” he said. “The builder may put a stop (on a driveway) to move the meter somewhere else, i.e., tampering with our system. It’s creating a lot of problems.”

If there’s a leak associated with moving a meter, Williamson said, the utility may have to bust up and replace concrete it wouldn’t have otherwise had to if the equipment had been left in place.

The updated policy will now require a builder to submit a driveway plan to the LCWSA or else pay a fine for moving the meter. The new rule only applies to homes built in parts of the county served by LCWSA not annexed by the cities of Madison or Huntsville.

“As Limestone County is experiencing a growth boom, we’re trying to create safeguards for this system so we don’t get hit with driveway repairs and things we shouldn’t have to bear the cost of,” he said. “It puts (builders) on notice and says you will not move (meters) around willy-nilly.”

Huntsville agreement

Elsewhere Thursday, the LCWSA board voted to install two water meters that would enable the utility to purchase water from Huntsville if necessary. Huntsville Utilities is also planning to install two meters so it may purchase water from LCWSA in an emergency situation.

Williamson said the decision is related to the 30-year franchise agreement with the city of Huntsville. The final outcome of that agreement is still being worked out by attorneys.

He said if there is a high demand in Madison because of a fire, the valve could be opened to allow the LCWSA to instantly purchase water from Huntsville. The LCWSA has existing purchase points with Decatur and Athens.

“We have no agreement with Huntsville that we’ll purchase X amount of water at X rate nor them from us,” Williamson said. “When water pressure drops, the meter will open. It’s really for emergencies.”

The total cost for each meter is $97,240.95.

Other business

In other business, the board:

• Approved the final payment of $360,439.65 to Garney Construction for the Decatur river crossing project. Williamson said the payment brings “the whole project to a final close”;

• Learned the utility would have to pay about $150,000 to move a water line to accommodate a road widening project on East Limestone Road. Williamson said about $50,000 of the cost would be reimbursed;

• Swapped tracts of property with a landowner after it was discovered a LCWSA fence surrounding a water tower was in the wrong place. The tracts, which equal about one-tenth of an acre, are on New Cut Road; and

• Williamson updated the board on the status of a request for proposals from accounting and legal firms. He said he did receive some proposals, which the board will review at a work session set for 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12.