MONTGOMERY – Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $425,000 grant to the town of Blountsville to make emergency repairs to wastewater treatment infrastructure.
The urgent-need Community Development Block Grant funds will be used to fortify the Blount County town’s wastewater treatment lagoon as mandated by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. On two different occasions, sinkholes appeared beneath the lagoon, causing a large amount of untreated wastewater to leak into the aquifer that is the main water supply for Blountsville and Blount County Water System.
“Clean water is one of the most basic needs of any community, and these leaks created a dangerous situation for the residents of Blountsville,” Gov. Ivey said. “I’m pleased to award these funds for a project that will secure the water supply and avert any future health risks.”
After the sinkholes appeared, ADEM required the Blountsville Utility Board to conduct a study of the ground beneath the lagoons. The study found 18 unstable areas that could lead to future sinkholes and wastewater leakage.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“Urgent need funds are available for exactly this type of emergency situation where there is a potential health hazard,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA joins Gov. Ivey in support of this critical project.”
Gov. Ivey notified Blountsville Mayor Mike Glass that the grant had been approved. The town has committed $105,000 to the project.
ADECA manages a range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, recreation, energy conservation and water resource management.
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