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Vandals Blamed For Massive Sewage Spill
By Steve Alexander Reporter
Published: Wed, October 10, 2007 - 8:45 pm
Last Updated: Wed, October 10, 2007 - 9:03 pm
Last Updated: Wed, October 10, 2007 - 9:03 pm
Steve Alexander
The Water Works and Sewer Board of the city of Prichard will raise rates about 15 percent beginning November First.
Water works officials say the increase is needed, in part, to prevent spills, like those that have happened in the past.
In February of 2004, a break in a sewer line emptied more than 200 thousand gallons on raw sewage into a wooded area.
Willie Huntley, Jr., an attorney for the water board, said, "There was a 2003 consent decree that the board was supposed to comply with. The board's system was aging and it needed improvements. People are going to see a physical difference in the city of Prichard after a heavy rainfall. You're not going to see the overflows in the sewer system. The pump systems are going to work."
Many people who live in Prichard have already heard about the increase.
Claretta Seltzer said, "Its ridiculous because people are already having a hard time. Our water bill already is $100 ( a month.) I guess now it's going to be two (hundred)."
James Marvin said, "I think its too much. I pay $56 a month more than that right now, just me and my wife."
However, Huntley says the water board is working on developing a program to assist people who need financial help paying the extra money.
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The prices for Prichard water are terrible. I wish WKRG would do a survey of the price per gallon of other systems in our area and compare it to Prichard’s. Keep up the good work Steve.