Repairs to water line being finalized at Brown’s Bridge in the Providence community
Words and Images by Al Blanton
The wheels began turning to permanently repair a broken water line in the Providence community at Brown’s Bridge on June 13. That day, the Walker County Commission approved a low-bid contract for Davis Heating and Cooling to repair and relocate the water line, which had been washed out by a high water event in early January. By the time repairs were set in to motion, however, much work had already been done.
The initial water line break caused approximately 260 families in the Providence community to be without water, but only temporarily, thanks to several government officials and members of the Providence Water Authority, who snapped to action. With the cooperation of Jasper Water Works and Sewer Board, Oakman Water Works, and Providence Water Authority, water access was restored to these residents within 24 hours. “They came in here and put ductile iron in instead of plastic, put coupling in, and that stabilized what we have,” said Providence Water Authority Board Member Gene Cameron. “And it gave us a temporary fix until we can get a new water line.”
In the meantime, Walker County Commission Chair Jerry Bishop alerted state officials of the problem in order to secure funds for a more permanent solution. That occurred through a $200,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). State Senator Greg Reed, State Representative Tim Wadsworth, and State Representative Connie Rowe helped facilitate the grant, and the remaining $70,000 for the project came from the Providence Water Authority. With the help of Mr. Chris Harmon from the Alabama Rural Water Association, Providence Water Authority secured these funds through the Alabama Rural Water Association Revolving Loan Fund. No county funds were used for the project.
Work to re-route the water line commenced in late July, and Cameron anticipates the project’s finalization to occur in the next few days. “If everything was to go well, I think they could be finished with the pipe connection by the end of the week,” he said.
Previously the water line was located on the actual bridge, a technique that was used in years past but that is uncustomary today. That left the possibility of re-routing the water line by tying in on the south side of Lost Creek and utilizing directional boring underneath the creek bed. Cameron also praised the county for allowing the use of the right-of-way, which, he says, has provided opportunity to put a permanent fix on the water line.
Chairman Bishop visited the site last week to meet with Cameron, County Engineer Mike Short, and fellow Providence Water Authority Board Member Bobby Nunnelly.
“We just need to thank the Commission for helping us and (Jerry) Bishop mostly for helping us get the money to do this,” Nunnelly said. “It’s been a need for a long time, so we appreciate what they did.”
“Mr. Bishop and the Commission acted quickly on the response to help get this situation corrected. They’ve been here from the first day, supporting us,” Cameron said. “Our water authority is a small authority and we really don’t have the resources or ability, so the grant money is terrific. I can’t say enough good about the County Commission and Mr. Bishop and all they have done for us.”
“This was a team effort and all were working together to help the Providence Water Authority,” said District 3 Commissioner Ralph Williams. “These repairs will save from future problems, and I know that people who live in the Providence community are going to be thankful.”
Bishop echoed Williams’ sentiments and also saw an urgent need for the community. “It’s just something I wanted to be a part of because I didn’t want people without water,” Bishop said. 78