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Commission considers letter supporting transfer of Wilton-area customers to Chilton Water Authority
Summary
After repeated service interruptions in Wilton's system, commissioners discussed a resolution asking Wilton to permit Chilton Water Authority to take on roughly 275 customers who live in Chilton County; Chilton Water manager Jason Smith said the authority has capacity but noted up-front capital and regulatory hurdles.
The commission reviewed a proposed resolution to ask the Wilton Town Council to allow Chilton County residents currently served by the Wilton Water System to transition to Chilton Water Authority. Chair introduced the item and noted Jason Smith, identified in the meeting packet as general manager of Chilton Water, was present to answer questions.
Smith said there are roughly 275 customers within Chilton County on the Wilton system and that the area has experienced repeated outages. "We have the capacity to serve the 275 customers that's located within Chilton County," he said, but he cautioned the transfer would require regulatory steps (ADEM), meter compatibility work (estimated at ~$100,000 for meters), and possibly more extensive tank and pipe work that could reach into the mid six or seven figures.
Commissioner comments emphasized the county's interest in restoring reliable service to residents while noting the Chilton Water Authority board must formally approve any takeover and that Wilton would have to agree or ADEM would have to dissolve the Wilton system. Commissioners supported drafting a letter urging Wilton to permit the transition and asked staff to coordinate with Chilton Water Authority for a formal presentation at the next meeting.
What happens next: the commission will send a letter of support, as appropriate, and Chilton Water Authority will consider formal board action; cost and scope estimates were not finalized.
