Commissioners renew water treatment programs for Etowah County
The Etowah County Commission during Tuesday’s meeting officially renewed two annual agreements with Chem-Aqua.
These agreements will allow the county to receive a chemical water treatment program on an annual basis for the Etowah County jail, specifically for Cooling Tower 1, and the Judicial Building.
Originally, the jail did not have access to the water treatment programs, as it was in a chilled water system based on a closed loop system. When bringing on water treatment last year through Chem-Aqua, there was no cost for the first year as outlined by the bid project.
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As for the costs of these programs now, the Judicial Building will have an annual renewal of $6,172.88, with the jail having an annual rate of $9,898.65. This price difference between the two agreements is justified through the volume and size of the buildings, with the jail being much larger than the judicial building and requiring more equipment.
“The contractor that initially installed the equipment used Chem-Aqua for the work,” said Chief Administrative Officer Shane Ellison.
In total, Chem-Aqua provides the county a water treatment program for three buildings: the two mentioned in the annual renewals made Tuesday, and for the courthouse.
Commissioners also approved a resolution to the AEMA Division F. Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan is in accordance with FEMA requirements 44 C.F.R. 201.6 and will allow places within the county outlined in the plan to be more easily eligible for emergency FEMA funding.
“In order to get funding for certain projects, they have to be in this document, which includes a host of things that are covered,” Ellison explained. “This will allow us to apply for funding for these projects as soon as the money becomes available.”
Commissioners also approved a resolution during their “consent agenda” that allowed the county to pay Jerry Smith for the week he worked from June 3-7. Smith was initially hired as a temporary employee for the Board of Registrars after the primary elections, but had his hiring shut down by commissioners, who said they wanted the state to cover the cost.
Ellison said the issue has since been discussed, but Smith was not interested in returning to work for the county afterward. He will be paid for that week at an hourly rate of $11.42.
Ellison announced that Advance Disposal would return on Aug. 6 with open-top containers for household trash. The four locations at Leeth Gap and Sardis Road, the intersection of U.S. Highway 278 and Alabama Highway 132, Whorton Bend Volunteer Fire Department and Gaston High School at U.S. Highway 411 North will not accept tires, batteries, appliances or hazardous waste.
The commission meeting was pushed back from July 5 because of the Independence Day holiday. Commissioners will have another regular meeting next week on July 19.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Commissioners renew water treatment programs for county
