Prichard Sends MAWSS Mixed Messages

Mawss City Of Prichard Customers face off against a Mobile County Water Board. They want an end to their water woes.

by Diana Lucio

Published: Mon, May 11, 2009 - 9:57 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, May 11, 2009 - 10:08 pm CST

A proposed water board merger is causing controversy. Customers faced off with Prichard Water Board at their meeting this afternoon.

The group Concerned Citizens of Prichard are disappointed in the board's response to a proposal made by Mobile Area Water and Sewer Service.
Last month, MAWSS asked to see engineering reports and information about Prichard's system so they could look into a possible merger.
Prichard Chairwoman Patricia Davis sent a letter to MAWSS last week.

The letter didn't address MAWSS' request. Instead it only refuted claims about Prichard privitizing their system.
"Everything now is left up to at least 5 board members who appear to be rejecting the proposal, the merger and we want to know why they're doing it,"Said Severia Morris with Concerned Citizens of Prichard.
"We cannot waive a magic wand and say this is gonna be done in 20 days, 30 days, 90 days or 6 months because we have to look at MAWSS records as well as they have to look at ours,"Said Chairwoman Davis.

Prichard Water says they are still evaluating MAWSS proposal. A spokeswoman for MAWSS says they are not sure what to make of Prichard's response, but they are still willing to work with them.

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Bikermike Says:

Tue, Jun 09, 2009 at 10:16 pm

I don’t know the answers,but if someone figures it out I wish they would let everyone know.as for a law suit,they would probably shred the evidence before it gets to court and claim it was lost or something.they have been fleecing the people of Prichard for so long that they think they are above the law,I know people that are paying close to $90.00 per month for their water and sewer service and I just find that to be ludicrous.

southfan1981 Says:

Tue, Jun 09, 2009 at 10:03 pm

Biker, I gave them the benefit of the doubt. I thought their high water bills reflected a need to do infrastructure work. However, my father informs me that in his community they pay a $10 flat fee. You read that right, TEN DOLLARS~ If that small community water service can manage on 10 a month per customer and very little commercial business, why is it that PRICHARD needs about $30 a month for an average water bill?

I wonder what a class action lawsuit would do to find out where the money is, why their water is so expensive when it’s coming from MOBILE in the first place and how we can STOP THE INSANITY!

Bikermike Says:

Tue, Jun 09, 2009 at 9:55 pm

you are right southfan,and they don’t give you any disconnect notice either.its all about the money and most people living in Prichard are poor and can not afford the high bills anyway,this so called water board has been corrupt for years and is only getting worse.the only reason I can think of why they don’t want to provide MAWSS with the records is because they are afraid of doing jail time for their actions,I have been on Prichard’s water service for 15 years and am disgusted with their arrogance and hope Mobile takes the helm soon.

framkly Says:

Tue, May 12, 2009 at 10:09 am

MAWSS wants more sewage to dumb in the waterways. The people of Prichard better beware of MAWSS.

southfan1981 Says:

Tue, May 12, 2009 at 12:07 am

These people are a bunch of morons. Their billing system is archaic and intentionally meant to confuse people. A bill is sent out on, let’s say May 23, as of June 23 or so, if that prior bill has not been paid and the second bill is sent out, WHAM, the water service is turned off! Consumers are hit with having to pay both bills in full plus $40 service call fee and the $20 to get the water service turned back on that day, IN CASH.

I am thinking someone got the smart idea that this was a good way to make some extra cash.