Tuscaloosa County Approves $3.3M In Water Infrastructure Projects

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Tuscaloosa County Commission unanimously approved $3.3 million in water infrastructure projects for three rural water systems in the northern part of the county.

The funds for the projects will come from District 1's allocation of money given to the county through the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan.

District 1 Commissioner Stan Acker pointed out that District 2 Commissioner Jerry Tingle saw his $3.3 million in water infrastructure projects approved in July.

Click here for an itemized list of expenditures and projects for District 2.

"Commissioner Tingle kicked us off a few weeks ago, then began working with various water authorities to get things under the American Rescue Act," Acker said Wednesday. "One of these is a joint project with Commissioner [Reginald] Murray ... they are replacing all their meters and we are going to just split that down the middle. Hopefully, there will be a round two [of funding], we'll be looking at some others and it gives us a good start to get us some well-needed help for our water authorities."

Tuscaloosa County Probate Judge Rob Roberson, who chairs the Commission, also said it is becoming more likely that federal funding will be made available at the state level soon for additional water infrastructure projects.

"How that's going to work and the time, that's legislative efforts, but I think it's important to know it's on the radar," he said.

Approved projects in District 1

Buhl Elrod Holman Water Authority

• Boyd Road Booster Station ($174,050)
• Water main expansion on Cooper Road and Crawford Road ($707,425)
• Water meter replacement, with half the cost split with District 4. ($235,551)

Carrolls Creek Water Authority

• Expansion of service on Mormon Road ($446,300)
• Highway 69/Wilcutt Road expansion ($169,300)
• Traweek Road expansion ($31,500)
• Goodwater Road expansion ($506,700)
• Reed Mountain tank rehabilitation painting ($150,000)
• New Lexington tank rehabilitation painting ($600,000)

Coker Water Authority

• Belaire tank rehabilitation painting ($100,000)
• Lake Lurleen tank rehabilitation painting ($150,000)

The Commission also approved ...

• Appointing Zach Wolfe to the Tuscaloosa County Heritage Commission.
• Animal control contracts for the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office to provide services to the towns of Brookwood and Vance. The county had been providing the services for Brookwood in the past, and will now add Vance to its workload. The towns will pay Tuscaloosa County per call for animal control services.
• Changing the speed limit on Bethabara Church Road and Freemans Bend Road to 25 mph.
• Approved repairs to the service elevator for the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse in the amount of $135,000. While the measure was approved, Commissioners said the county will look into the possibility of covering the repairs with money from the American Rescue Plan Act.
• Approved an allocation of $7,400 to Tuscaloosa County Park & Recreation Authority from District 2 discretionary funds for repairs and spot repainting at the Tingle Center's pool.
• Approved an agreement for the donation of land and certain materials and services for the proposed Duncanville Storm Shelter, which will be managed by the Duncanville Volunteer Fire Department.

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