GADSDEN– A Northeast Etowah water project would replace more than two miles of failing main, and residents now have an opportunity to comment.

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management issued an environmental-review notice October 13 for the $999,313 project. The Northeast Etowah Water Co-op proposes replacing approximately 11,600 feet of aging pipe, reconnecting water services, and installing fire hydrants.

ADEM describes the existing three-inch PVC main as failing and functionally obsolete. It also calls for six-inch PVC pipe and connections to existing mains.

However, the announcement marks an environmental-review step for a project already listed in state planning records. It does not announce a newly awarded $999,313 grant.

Project Maps Identify Coats Bend and Tidmore Bend Areas

Maps in ADEM’s supporting project packet identify locations in the Coats Bend and Tidmore Bend areas.

One map identifies Tammy Trail, Jerry Lane, Mockingbird Street, and Appalachian Highway. It also shows an alternate segment, so the map should not serve as a final construction schedule for every listed road.

Meanwhile, another map identifies River Cliff Drive as a second project site. That drawing labels a proposed six-inch water main.

The engineering correspondence also describes replacing portions of existing two- and three-inch lines with six-inch main. Construction would occur within existing public rights-of-way or utility easements.

However, the reviewed records do not provide a neighborhood-by-neighborhood history of breaks or service interruptions. They also do not establish a construction start date or completion date.

What Customers Could Gain

ADEM’s January 2026 draft amendment to its drinking-water funding plan identifies the co-op’s main-replacement project under number FS010497-01.

The plan lists improved water quality and pressure, reduced water loss, and greater reliability as its goals. Those are projected benefits, rather than measured results from completed construction.

The older plan describes two- and three-inch main work throughout the system. However, the October environmental notice provides the more specific proposal to replace failing three-inch main with six-inch pipe.

The public notice does not provide projected pressure readings, expected reductions in outages, or a customer-rate impact.

Funding Records Show an Existing Project

The January planning table lists $999,313 for the project and shows that amount as 100% principal forgiveness. In addition, ADEM’s water-project tracking report lists a main-replacement application dated March 9, 2022, with the same $999,313 amount.

As a result, that history distinguishes the October notice from a new funding announcement. However, the planning table does not replace an executed financing agreement or establish a construction contract award.

ADEM’s separate tracking entries also identify meter replacement, Whites Chapel Road main replacement, and tank work for the co-op. Those entries should not be combined with the current project’s cost or scope.

What the Environmental Decision Means

ADEM determined that the project qualifies for a categorical exclusion from further environmental study under its State Environmental Review Process.

The notice cites provisions covering minor rehabilitation, functional replacement, and related facilities serving existing infrastructure. However, ADEM can reconsider its determination if significant adverse environmental information emerges.

The supporting packet also includes environmental and historic-resource correspondence. An engineering letter describes temporary soil disturbance and calls for practices to minimize soil movement.

How to Submit Comments

ADEM requires written comments within 30 days of the October 13 notice, a period ending November 12.

Address comments to Sitthapong (Vince) Limpaphanon, SRF Branch, Permits and Services Division, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, P.O. Box 301463, Montgomery, AL 36130-1463.

Include project number FS010497-01 to identify the proposal. ADEM says it will carefully evaluate opposing public comments before taking formal action to proceed.

About the Water System

The co-op’s 2024 water-quality report reported approximately 1,400 customers and three storage tanks with a combined 400,000-gallon capacity. It also identified purchased surface water from Gadsden Water Works as the system’s supply.

Customers seeking information about their service or the proposed work can contact the co-op at 256-546-4884. Its office is at 3733 Old U.S. Highway 411 in Gadsden.

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