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Madison County weighs returning offline tank to service as Danielsville offers to take ownership
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Summary
County commissioners discussed refurbishing an offline elevated storage tank (the 'Madaco' tank) and a City of Danielsville offer to assume ownership; the board examined storage, pump relocation, fire-protection benefits, estimated refurbishment costs and insurance/maintenance trade-offs.
Chair opened a lengthy discussion about returning an offline elevated tank into service and whether the City of Danielsville should take ownership. The board reviewed technical and financial trade-offs, emergency supply and firefighting implications and next steps.
The board heard that bringing the tank back online would provide roughly 500,000 gallons of stored water and, with relocated pumps and a nearby booster station, could make about 300,000 gallons immediately available for fire protection in the county’s northern areas. “It would give them about 500,000 gallons in stored water,” the Chair said, arguing the tank could improve pressure and support fire flows where the county currently struggles.
Officials discussed mechanical steps and costs: refitting the interior and repainting the tank was estimated roughly at $115,000–$140,000, with routine maintenance and cleaning cycles (inspection/cleaning roughly every three years) and additional insurance/asset-accounting implications. The Chair warned the tank’s condition is deteriorating and that the county is paying insurance and potential liabilities while the asset sits idle.
Board members asked about operational options if Danielsville assumed ownership. The meeting record shows Danielsville would be willing to take responsibility for maintenance and operations to keep the tank full and available; commissioners also discussed technical steps such as relocating a pump station on Erwin Kirk Road to the tower location and the need to run roughly 800 feet of line for some connection options. The Chair said the county can currently buy and sell water with Danielsville but that elevation differences mean pumps will be required to send water back to Madison County or to Franklin County.
Commissioners emphasized the need for a clear cost–benefit accounting: one commissioner asked staff to compile dollar figures for purchase, refurbishment, pump relocation and operating costs so the ledger shows whether the county’s eventual position favors transfer, sale for a nominal fee or county-led upgrade. The board did not take formal action at this meeting; staff said they will run numbers and follow up by email and on the next agenda.
Next step: staff to return cost estimates and proposed operating arrangements to the board for review and for possible placement on a future agenda.
