Prichard Water Board receiver discusses possible MAWSS takeover with customers

CHICKASAW, Ala. ( WKRG ) — Prichard and Chickasaw citizens had the opportunity Wednesday night to ask questions about the future of the Prichard Water Board, which supplies water to both cities.

Court-appointed receiver John Young advised customers of the current infrastructure of the Prichard Water Works and Sewer Board and the possibility of a MAWSS takeover, which he believes is the best option to help the board consolidate their debts and fix their leaky pipes.

“When we did the evaluation, we focused on what was going to be most efficient for the customer, which option provided the best from a public health perspective,” Young explained. “But at the same time had the lowest operating costs and potentially the lowest capital cost to provide the infrastructure improvements that we need.”

Customers attending Wednesday night’s meeting at Chickasaw Elementary are on board with the decision.

“I believe that’s most viable solution there is at this point in time, be in the best interest of everybody,” Allen Hutchinson, a Chickasaw resident, said.

“I think that it’s definitely the most viable option because we buy our water already from MAWSS we’re already involved with MAWSS; that’s our sister,” Severia Morris with the United Concerned Citizens of Prichard said.

However, some customers think otherwise.

“I’m not quite sure. I think what we need to do is repair our pipes before we decide to transfer her to anybody,” Prichard resident Mary Jo Barnes said. “I think we need to try to do as much as we can to keep Prichard and Chickasaw with their own utilities.”

A MAWSS takeover wouldn’t happen overnight. Young said they have to present the MAWSS board with information for them to review.

If MAWSS votes to take over the Prichard Water Board, it will completely disband the board.

“We obviously would have to go through some constitutional changes that the legislature, we’d have to go through a referendum,” Young said. “And hopefully after all of that, then we can actually move forward with the recommendation.”

But if they vote against it, Young will have to go back to the drawing board.

“You have to see what’s plan B,” Young explained. “You know, we have several other alternatives we looked at, none of which were (as) attractive as the MAWSS alternative, and we have to go back and determine what’s best for the customer.”

Young said he plans to give MAWSS information about the Prichard Water Board’s assets by December for them to make a vote.

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