Residents concerned about sewage plant

KILLEN -- The town council is investigating the possibility of a sewer to accommodate future commercial growth, but some Lauderdale County residents are concerned about a potential location for a sewage treatment plant.

More than 20 individuals attended Killen's town council meeting Thursday to raise concerns regarding the potential of a sewage treatment plant off Bridge Road.

Alabama Utility Services, a private company headquartered in Calera, has acquired an option on a 70-acre tract off Bridge Road to test the feasibility of putting a sewage treatment plant and a land application operation at the site.

At the council meeting, opponents of the plan cited several reasons why the site is not suitable for a sewage treatment plant, expressing concerns about health risks, environment and property values.

Terry Honeycutt said the topography of the proposed site is less than ideal because the site straddles two valleys, meaning runoff would flow toward several homes, a creek and pastures.

"We have been told this would hurt our property values," Honeycutt said. "Is Killen going to support us when our property values fall 30 percent?"

Many of those in attendance live on Fox Den Road, which is not in Killen's town limits, and live on properties adjacent to, or very near, the location that the company chose to test.

Rhea Fulmer, another nearby resident who attended the meeting, said she is concerned about several issues at the site, particularly environmental risks.

"Why don't we put it in your backyard?" Fulmer said. "If we did, you would be here where we are."

Killen Mayor Jerry Mitchell said the town is simply in the investigative stage and is exploring its options for a sewer system.

The town originally looked into joining Florence's system, which is no longer an option, and installing and operating its own system, which would be too expensive.

Because those options were not plausible, Mitchell said the town began looking at private sewer companies.

Alabama Utility Services would own and operate the sewer system if an agreement is reached to bring the company in to install and operate the sewer system.

Mitchell said there is a strict list of priorities the town would have to abide by if it does install a sewer system, including odor abatement.

Mitchell said any action or decision on the issue is still far away, because the town is just in the investigative stages.

Mitchell said no agreements have been reached with Alabama Utility Services regarding putting a treatment plant at the site.

"They are currently just testing the property to see if it would be feasible," Mitchell said.

If the company decides the site would work, Mitchell said there would be a public hearing and chances for public input before any agreement is made.

Mitchell said Killen needs a sewer system because of the number of businesses that want to locate in the town and to accommodate the continued growth of the town's population base.

"We've got to plan for the future and look at what is going to be a problem if we continue to grow," Mitchell said.

Honeycutt said he believes Killen needs a sewer system but contends the company's test site is not the place a treatment plant should be built.

"We agree that Killen needs a sewer, but there are better options," Honeycutt said.

Ty West can be reached at 740-5720 or at ty.west@timesdaily.com.