NEW REGIONAL WATER SYSTEM ON TAP FOR SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

DONGOLA, Ill. -- The Central Alexander County Water District has plans to eventually hook into SouthWater.

Ditto, Mill Creek, which was recently approved for a $400,000 grant to establish a new water system.

Water districts at Pulaski and McClure-East Cape Girardeau have also indicated they would join SouthWater.

SouthWater Inc., a proposed a non-profit, regional water supplier to serve a number of communities, is in its early stages of planning.

And, by mid-February, people should know if the SouthWater will be developed.

Southern Illinois Electric Cooperative General Manager Larry Lovell said the plan is in its critical stage.

"Enough communities must participate to make it happen," he said.

SouthWater Inc. is a subsidiary of the electric cooperative at Dongola.

Citing a need for a water cooperative, Lovell said the cooperative could benefit communities in Alexander, Pulaski and southern Union counties.

Some 1,600 homes in rural areas aren't connected to a municipal water system, he said. They could benefit.

"The more participation up front, the better the water rate," Lovell said.

Communities would receive treated water to be distributed, Lovell said. No communities will be forced to buy water from SouthWater.

The plan's specifics include building a 2.4 MGD (million gallons a day) water treatment plant, two wells, a booster pump station, a 500,000-gallon ground storage tank, a 750,000-gallon elevated storage tank and 45 miles of 8-, 10- and 12-inch water mains with valves and meters.

Anticipated cost for Phase I is $6 to $8 million, said Ron Medlin, services director at Southern Illinois Electric Cooperative.

Phase I would include hookups to the four communities, and others, that want to participate.

If implemented, the proposed action would convert about 40 acres of farmland in and around the Tamms, Olive Branch or Sandusky area.

A spot hasn't been picked yet, Medlin said, adding that he hopes to find an area outside flood plains or wetlands."

Notices are being distributed of possible impacts to land resources.

"We'd like to have comments from individuals concerning a proposed location," Medlin said. "We're also asking for comments on alternative sites."

Appropriate agencies have been notified to determine if an environmental study is necessary.

The idea of a regional water treatment center emerged a year ago during a meeting of representatives from the Illinois EPA, Southern Five Regional Planning Commission, Farmers Home, Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs and Southern Illinois Electric Cooperative.

Lovell and Medlin agree such a system could help economic development.

They think businesses and developers will look at areas with the regional water system.

"What we're looking at," Lovell said, "is a state-of-the-art water treatment system for the area."