An appalling idea

Once again, Mayor Jerry Mitchell and the Killen town council members are attempting to place a raw sewage treatment plant in a community other than their own, the Bluewater creek area. I admit that such a facility would help the town's commerce; however, it is my continuing opinion that connecting to Florence is, by far, the best option.

The mayor cites cost as the reason he opposes the idea. Please read the following comment from expert hydrogeologist Tom Aley, president of the Ozark Underground Laboratory in Missouri, concerning the 2006 proposed Bridge Road site, just outside Killen's town limits:

"Given the distance from Killen and the rough topography of the site this will be a more expensive than typical sewage effluent irrigation site to operate and maintain. Operation and maintenance costs are paid by sewer users. Has a diligent search been made to identify two or three potential sites so that the best one (if any of them) can be selected? Those who pay the bills (the sewer users in Killen) need to ensure that they are not buying an unusually expensive strategy due to the eagerness of a few individuals. It is not just the site neighbors who stand to be adversely affected by this proposed project."

Notice that Mr. Aley's first words were "given the distance from Killen." The Bridge Road site was just over a mile outside Killen's town limits. The site for the plant now under discussion is in the Mitchelltown community near county roads 33 and 50, which is MUCH further than a single mile! How much more expensive will such a plant be?

Another point of concern, and in my opinion the one most disconcerting, is the potential damage to Mill and Bluewater creeks. The plant under current consideration is a stream discharge system, meaning that the treated sewage will be dumped into these creeks at the rate of up to 550,000 gallons per day, according to Chris Matthews, of Alabama Utility Services. For such small creeks in an already severe drought situation, the very idea is appalling! I urge all concerned citizens, whether residents of Killen, East Lauderdale County or anywhere else to please support the viable option of connecting to Florence.

Rhea Tays Fulmer

Killen