Salisbury is opting out of a task force that will look at ways of providing sewer and
water for southern Rowan.Earlier this year,
county commissioners invited officials from Salisbury, China Grove, Landis and
Kannapolis to join in discussion that could lead to creation of a water and sewer
authority to serve the southern area.
County officials have repeatedly stressed the need
to provide water and sewer particularly in the commercial and industrial areas along U.S.
29 and Interstate 85. Those areas have been identified as the areas where rapid growth is
expected.
Kannapolis, China Grove and Landis have all signed
on to work with the county in looking at water and sewer service for the area.
In a letter to Newton Cohen, chairman of the Rowan
County Board of Commissioners, Salisbury Mayor Susan Kluttz gave the city's
decision.
Kluttz said that while she is delighted to learn
of the task force, she believes that "those decisions affecting south Rowan are best
made by those directly involved."
Salisbury's decision to opt out comes after a
trial balloon from China Grove over a possible deal involving a water line and some
understanding on future annexation. Although it was discussed briefly, the issue is not
being actively pursued.
County Manager Tim Russell said Friday that
Salisbury could be a major player in providing utilities to the southern end of the
county.
"It would have been great for them to be at
the table," said Russell.
Russell cited positive responses from China Grove,
Landis and Kannapolis.
He said the task force will go forward. The first
meeting is expected within the next couple of weeks.
Russell said the commissioners are looking
seriously at the county getting into the water business. He suggested that some projects
ahead could very quickly move the county in that direction.
"The community is changing. We need to be in
front of the curve instead of behind the curve," said Russell.
Salisbury City Manager David Treme said Salisbury
stands ready to be a possible provider.
"It's not that we don't want to participate .
. . the first thing is that they need to figure out what they want to do," said
Treme.
Treme acknowledged that Landis could be a water
provider and Kannapolis has capability to provide both sewer and water for the south end
of the county.
Salisbury currently provides wastewater treatment
for both Landis and China Grove.
Landis officials have gone on the record
repeatedly saying they want to sell more more water. The town currently supplies a
substantial portion of China Grove's water supply.
Kannapolis has appointed City Councilman Jack
Goodnight, Public Works Director Melvin Rape and City Manager David Hales to serve on the
task force.
Goodnight also serves on the board of directors
for the regional Water and Sewer Authority of Cabarrus County.
Kannapolis also holds title to hundreds of acres
of land in western Rowan on Back Creek. The land was originally purchased by Charlie
Cannon for a reservoir to ensure a plentiful supply for Cannon Mills.
Purchased several years ago by the city, the
reservoir would be expected to cover nearly 500 acres and have a 1.2 billion gallon water
impoundment.
A water and sewer study made nearly a year ago at
the request of the commissioners estimated the cost of building the reservoir at $6
million.
The reservoir or a treatment facility using water
from the South Yadkin River were both analyzed in the study.
Engineers with Hobbs, Upchurch & Associates
who did the study said that if demand for water was boosted by several new smaller
industries or by one huge industrial user, the reservoir should be seriously considered.
In his letter to city and town officials, Cohen
pointed out that there "several viable sources of water are available to serve
the southern portion of Rowan County." |
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