History

Brief History of Anniston's Public Water System

Early Development (1880s - 1913)

In the 1880s, Anniston's public water system was developed by the Anniston Land Company. The initial water source was a well on Moore Avenue, north of 11th Street. Water was pumped into a ten-inch pipeline to a small reservoir near Highland Cemetery.

As Anniston grew, especially with the need for large quantities of water for blast furnaces near 15th Street and Clydesdale Avenue, a larger water source was needed. In 1889, The Anniston Water Supply Company was organized by T. G. Bush of Birmingham and associates. They purchased the existing system and expanded it.

Coldwater Spring and 240 surrounding acres were acquired. Engineers estimated the spring's flow to be between 24,000,000 and 36,000,000 gallons per day. A brick pump house was built beside the spring, housing boilers and two steam-driven pumps, each capable of 3,000,000 gallons per day. A twenty-inch cast iron transmission pipeline was installed from Coldwater to Anniston. Additionally, a 6,000,000-gallon reservoir was created above Corning Street in west Anniston.

The new system began operations in 1890 and met Anniston’s needs for nearly fifty years. The pumping station was converted from steam to electricity in 1913.

Expansion and Ownership Changes (1913 - 1935)

In 1913, the system was sold to the Alabama Water Company, led by John B. Weakley and Eugene Fies. In 1926, the Alabama Water Company's holdings were sold to Federal Water Service Corporation.

The city charter allowed Anniston to purchase the water system at the end of any five-year period. In 1920, Anniston announced its intention to exercise this right, leading to fifteen years of litigation. The matter was settled in 1935 for $725,000, and Anniston became the owner of the water system.

Modernization and Further Expansion (1940 - 1962)

By 1940, the water demand necessitated further expansion. An additional twenty-inch cast iron pipeline from Coldwater to Anniston, new pumps, a new 4,000,000-gallon concrete reservoir, and two 2,000,000-gallonsteel reservoirs (Highland and Gurnee) were installed. A twelve-inch pipeline was also installed from Anniston to Fort McClellan.

In 1951, further expansions included a twenty-four-inch cast iron pipeline along Highway 78 and larger pumps at Coldwater Pump Station. Additional mains were installed across the city to reinforce the distribution system. High-level systems were installed to supply new developments as the city expanded to higher elevations.

In 1956, the Choccolocco Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant and large trunk and relief sewers were constructed at a cost of approximately two million dollars. The Water Department financed this through bonds and its earnings, and in July 1962, the City transferred the remaining sanitary sewer system to the Board.

Organizational Changes and Major Projects (1962 - 1995)

Due to bond issues financing the system's purchase and expansion, the Water Department operated separately from the City of Anniston under a Board of Water Commissioners. On July 27, 1962, the Department was reorganized as The Water Works and Sewer Board of the City of Anniston. Initially, the board consisted of five members.

In the mid-1960s, Anniston Water Works collaborated with the United States Soil Conservation Service to construct a reservoir along Hillabee Creek. The Hillabee Reservoir was completed in 1971, covering 175 acres and holding over one billion gallons of water.

Another reservoir, the Sam H. Hamner Reservoir, was completed in 1977, holding just under two billion gallons of water. In the late 1970s, construction began on a new surface water treatment plant, the Earl C. Knowlton Water Treatment Plant, which was completed in 1982. It can treat up to ten million gallons per day with modifications.

In 1995, the State Legislature expanded the Board to seven members with four appointed by The City Council of the City of Anniston and three appointed by the Calhoun County Legislative Delegation.

Infrastructure Investments and Service Expansion (1996 - 2014)

From 1996 to 2006, the Board invested over $40 million in infrastructure and capital improvements. Upgrades included Coldwater Spring, Paul B. Krebs Water Treatment Plant, and the Choccolocco Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant. Over $10 million came from outside sources, and another $20 million was "pay as you go." Refinancing and declining interest rates added only $9 million in additional debt.

In 1999, the Board was awarded ownership of the former Fort McClellan water and sewer systems. The Fort system included over 57 miles of water mains, 34 miles of sewer lines, 500 fire hydrants, and one wastewater treatment plant. The Board performed over $3.5 million in improvements, mostly funded through a grant from the U.S. Government - Economic Development Authority.

The number of customers increased to over 20,000 by 1997 but declined to about 19,000 by 2014. The revenue loss was offset by extending water service to Honda Manufacturing of Alabama via a 13-mile main extension along U.S. Highway 78 West. The project cost over $8 million and was completed in December 2014.

Recent Improvements (2015 - Present)

Since 2015, the Board invested substantially in the following large-scale capital improvements:

·        $5.1 renovation and upgrade of the Earl C. Knowlton Water Treatment Plant

·        $10 million in restoration projects for parts of the sanitary sewer collection system improvements including multiple lift station renovations and upgrades.

·        $6.1 million renovation and upgrade of the McClellan Wastewater Treatment Plant

·        $6.8 million construction of a new2-million-gallon water tank in the southeast service area adjacent to Interstate 20 and transmission main.

·        $24 million renovation and upgrade of the Choccolocco Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

Looking Back, Looking Forward

Daily water consumption increased from 1,500,000 gallons in 1918 to over 15,000,000 today. The system, originally designed to serve Anniston proper, expanded to serve parts of Oxford, Blue Mountain, Fort McClellan, Anniston Army Depot, Cleburne County, Randolph County, parts of Clay County, Jacksonville, Heflin, and Haralson County, Georgia. Customers also include the Calhoun County Water and Fire Protection Authority, Hobson City, and the City of Weaver. In 1997, water and sewer mains totaled over 600 miles, with public fire hydrants exceeding 1,400. Currently, water and sewer mains in service have increased to just under 800 miles. The Board has 60 full-time employees and annual revenues of about $18 million.

The Board has maintained rates at a competitive level and adopted a new rate plan in October 2022 for years 2023-2026. Rates are subject to review as to reasonableness and not subject to the Alabama Public Service Commission’s jurisdiction for rates. 

The Board has secured partnership agreements with local governments to complete infrastructure projects as part of funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).  The Board, the City of Anniston and the McClellan Development Authority are working on a partnership to complete the construction of a new high-level system in the Compass Hill area of the former Fort McClellan that will allow for commercial development of an area along Veterans Memorial Parkway as well expand the overall service area to higher elevations. 

In FY 2024, the Board began construction on a project in partnership with the Calhoun County Commission to construct a new high-level system in the Wellborn area that will allow the Board to eliminate the existing Corning Tank. This tank project is estimated to cost approximately $3.5 million with $2.5 million in ARPA funds being provided through Calhoun County.  The project should be completed by the end of fiscal year 2025.

The Board purchased a building located on the corner of Noble Street and 15^th Street in 2022 with the intent to re-locate the Board’s administrative offices to the new location prior to the end of the Board’s lease at 931 Noble Street in December 2024.  The new administrative office renovations are complete and the new location opened at 1429 Noble Street November 25, 2024.

The Board has secured funding for an estimated $17 million project for a major project at the Krebs Water Treatment Plant to improve efficiency and reliability. ADEM has approved the Board to receive $5.2 million in ARPA grant funds along with a SRF loan to finance the additional money needed to complete the project.

In FY 2025, the Board will continue tank maintenance efforts with plans to complete renovation/rehabilitation projects at Sunset Tank as well as both 10^thStreet tanks.  Renovation projects are also planned for the Cross Keys and National Guard sewer lift stations.

The availability of clean drinking water and the treatment of wastewater have never been more important or essential.  Continued and emerging supply chain issue sand inflationary/economic pressures linger as global, national, and local challenges.  In the face of these challenges, the Board’s ultimate goal remains delivering high quality drinking water to customers on demand and protecting the environment and public health through responsible wastewater treatment and source water protection.

The Anniston Water Works and Sewer Board is a not-for-profit, independent legal entity created by an act of the Alabama State Legislature. It is supported almost solely by the rates charged to its customers, with no tax dollars used for operations except for federal and state grants. Aside from 5% of gross receipts paid to the City of Anniston as a payment in lieu of taxes, all revenues generated by operations are required by indenture to be used for the operation, maintenance, and improvement of its water and wastewater systems.