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County hears stark water-supply feasibility report; officials discuss growth, bulk purchases and rate choices
Summary
A consultant told the board Madison County has short-term water but needs a long-term plan — likely surface water — within 7–10 years; staff and commissioners also reviewed rate comparisons, connection fees and options to buy or partner for private wells.
Madison County commissioners heard a detailed briefing on current water supply, near-term constraints and long‑range options, and discussed changes to customer rates and connection fees.
Eric Neeson, the consultant leading the county’s water feasibility work, told the board the county’s current average demand is roughly 1 million gallons per day while the James Holcomb well produces about 300,000 gallons per day. Neeson said purchases from neighboring systems (notably Elkerton) and other contracts have kept supply reliable so far, but longtime reliance on crystalline‑rock wells is not a sustainable long‑term strategy.
“You need water now,” Neeson said, and added that surface water — a reservoir or raw‑water storage plan — is the only long‑term, 50‑year solution he expects will meet growth; however, it is expensive and likely a seven‑ to ten‑year project once engineering, permitting and funding are in place.
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