KILLEN -- A group identifying itself as BREW, an acronym for Bridge Road Environmental Watch, made its point perfectly clear to the town council Monday.

They are against the construction of a sewage treatment plant adjacent to their neighborhood.

Members of the group said the topography of the land being considered for the plant is unsuitable. Flooding in the area also could pose a negative environmental impact on land and water south of the facility, they contend.

They are concerned that runoff from the spray irrigation facility could create a health risk to humans, pets, livestock and aquatic life.

Alabama Utility Services LLC, a Birmingham-based company, has taken an option on a 70-acre tract off Bridge Road, which is not in the town's limits.

Residents of the area, however, still consider themselves residents of Killen, said BREW spokeswoman Rhea Fulmer.

The company specializes in building and operating private sewer systems and is investigating the feasibility of constructing a sewage treatment plant at the site.

Fulmer said group members agree that Killen needs a sewage treatment facility, but the site Alabama Utility Services has selected "is the wrong location."

To bolster its point, BREW presented pictures showing flooding in the area around the proposed site.

Water from the site flows around homes in the area and eventually into Six Mile Creek, which empties into Wilson Lake.

Residents also are concerned about odor from the plant and its effect on property values.

Fulmer informed the council that BREW has collected about 300 signatures of residents who are against locating the plant in the area. She said they will eventually present the petition to the council once they have finished collecting names.

Fulmer did give the council letters from residents who do not want the plant to be built.

Resident Terry Honeycutt told council members that the city of Florence is equipped to allow Killen to attach to its sewer system. He said that specific wording was included in the grant used to fund the Florence facility, which is located off Alabama 20.

Killen Mayor Jerry Mitchell, however, said Florence Mayor Bobby Irons informed him that Killen could not tap onto the Florence system at this time.

Mitchell said a treatment facility in Killen would mostly serve the town's commercial area around U.S. 72 and J.C. Mauldin Highway. It would also branch out and serve some residential areas.

Mitchell informed the group that the council has not made a decision on the plant and that a public hearing would take place before the council vote.

Mitchell said the need for a sewer system for Killen goes back to the 1980s.

"We are just looking at ways to develop possibilities in fulfilling that need," Mitchell said.

Another resident, Dr. Jeff Schneider, said studies conducted in the area by Tennessee Valley Authority biologists indicate that runoff has already decreased the water quality of Six Mile Creek. He said other studies indicate that the soil around the proposed site does not absorb water well.

Mitchell said council members would review all studies before making a decision. He said they would also consider the concerns of the Bridge Road Environmental Watch.

Mitchell said BREW would be able to present its concerns and questions to Alabama Utility Services officials during the public hearing.

Company officials did not attend Monday's council meeting.

Even if the council approves the project, it would still have to be permitted by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, which would also conduct a public hearing.

Fulmer pointed out that officials with Alabama Utility Services and ADEM "don't live in our community."

After the group's presentation, Mitchell asked if there was anyone in the crowd of about 80 that jammed the city hall auditorium who wanted to express another opinion on the proposal. Nobody spoke up.

Russ Corey can be reached at 740-5738 or russ.corey@timesdaily.com.