Projects:
1. VFDs
In 2023 CEW&SA contracted the Alabama Rural Water Association to conduct an energy audit of our power usage and to suggest energy saving measures. From this audit the major cost saving items identified were the pumps used at the raw water intake at Lake Martin and the distribution pumps that send finished water to our customers. Our current pumping setups use soft starts which reduce water hammer but are not the most energy efficient. It was recommended that these pumps were converted to a variable frequency drive (VFD) to allow energy effciency and give us the ability to speed up or slow down the pumps to meet our system demands. It is estimated that with the installation of the VFDs it will reduce our power consumption by as much as 35%.
The Board of Directors approved to move forward with a VFD replacement project and CEW&SA partnered with Ardurra, Inc., an engineering consulting firm, to help design and properly size the project. The project went to bid in May of 2024 and approved in July 2024. Construction is currently underway and on track to be completed by September 2025.
2. Taste and Odor
CEW&SA has been experiencing taste and odor issues caused by Geosmin and MIB which are naturally occurring compounds that are found in Lake Martin, our water source. Research has shown that these compounds are not harmful for consumption but can be very unpleasant. Through the years CEW&SA has tried different treatment options such as powder activated carbon and copper sulfate, but none have effectively removed the compounds to levels where they can no loner be detected by the consumer. In 2024 the Board of Directors approved for CEW&SA to move forward on designing a Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) filter system that will remove the compounds. Prior to the approval, CEW&SA has conducted pilot studies with GAC drums to determine its effectiveness and the results showed that GAC will remove the compounds to levels that should not be detected during consumption.
CEW&SA's consulting engineering firm, Ardurra, has completed the design of the project. Currently CEW&SA has submitted an application to Alabama Department of Environmental Management's State Revolving Fund for possible grant funding to help offset the cost of the project and is hopeful that a determination will be announced soon. CEW&SA has received bids for the GAC and the filtration vessels and the winning bidder Calgon has begun the process to procure the materials. It has been stated that the lead time is long but it is anticipated to be on site by Spring 2026. Currently CEW&SA is advertising for bids for a contractor and various items necessary for construction, with the bid openings scheduled for August 21, 2025. CEW&SA is projecting to have the project completed by the Summer of 2026.
3. Line Replacements
Cartwright Rd - Approximately 700 ft of replacement at the end of Cartwright Rd to upgrade the water main from 160 class to 250 class 3" PVC. The old water main was abandoned from under the roadway and the new water main has been relocated to the right of way.
Island Rd, Gladys Dr, Circle Ln, Bluewater Dr and Hillcrest Dr - Approximately 2.5 miles of class 160 PVC will be upgraded to class 250 PVC and moved from under the roadway to the right of way. The Elmore County Public Works will help clear the right of way and will be repaving Gladys Dr and Circle Ln as part of their REBUILD transportation plan. The water main has been installed on Island Rd, Gladys Dr, and Circle Ln. Bluewater Dr and Hillcrest Dr water mains will be completed by August and the final steps will be to reconnect all water services to the new water mains.
Wildwood Dr and Kings Rd - As part of the Elmore County Public Works paving of Wildwood Dr and Kings Rd, CEW&SA will be relocating the water main from the roadway to the right of way. Approximately 2,200 ft of Class 250 3" PVC will be installed from Tecumseh Point Rd to the end of Wildwood Dr. The project will begin as soon as the Island Rd project has been completed.
