Toledo Bend
Bi-State
Alliance

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.