SRA gives consideration to selling treated water
BY KIM VAN OOSTEN
BEAUREGARD/VERNON BUREAU
MANY -- The sale of treated water could build Sabine River Authority
coffers and reduce dependence on hydroelectric revenue, which has become
a point of contention.
The authority, which oversees the man-made lake, will look into building
a treatment facility at Toledo Bend and selling drinkable water to industry
and public water districts.
Sales of "raw" untreated water generated more than $2,600 in
the fiscal year, according to SRA financial reports. Treated water could
mean higher numbers.
Jim Pratt, SRA deputy director, said raw water sells for about 13 cents
per 1,000 gallons, but treated water fetches about $1.50 per 1,000 gallons.
Pratt will talk to the DeSoto Parish Waterworks District 1 about the possibility
of becoming its drinking-water source.
The district has only three options now, he said -- buying from Logansport
or Mansfield or building its own treatment plant.
SRA hopes to offer another fourth choice, he said.
DeSoto's waterworks district isn't the only potential. Pratt said there
are a number of businesses and areas in Sabine and DeSoto Parishes that
need treated water.
Laying water lines to non-serviced areas or allowing smaller districts
to tap in could boost economic development, he said.
Reduced dependence of generating power would also benefit the SRA, he
said.
The SRA was advised to look into new revenue avenues by its attorney
after lake residents and businessmen complained about ongoing power generation
when water levels were low this summer.
"Operation of a treatment facility would be a new source of revenue
for us," Pratt said. "Water is more valuable to us for consumption
purposes than it is for the use of generation of power."
In other matters during its last meeting, the board:
Approved a resolution to end stump cutting in other areas and concentrate
on waters around Cypress Bend Resort, the conference center and hotel
under construction.
Approved the findings of an independent audit. SRA's assets amount to
$63.2 million, up about $3 million. No non-compliance was found.
Approved a resolution declaring SRA's intent to issue $10 million in bonds
to fund SRA projects, including Cypress Bend, park site improvements,
a fishery project, the South Toledo Golf Project and a parish-wide water
study. The issue will stipulate that money for projects later deleted
from the list go to those chosen for completion.
