Alabama Department of Environmental Management
P O Box 301463 (Zip 36130-1463)
1400 Coliseum Boulevard (Zip 36110-2400)
Montgomery, Alabama
(334) 271-7700

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
ADEM Fund Code 245

Owens Cross Roads Water Authority
Madison County

SRF Project No. FS010039-02

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management has made $3,607,000 in financial assistance available to the Owens Cross Roads Water Authority from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan program.  In accordance with State and Federal regulations that govern the program, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management has conducted a review to assess the potential impacts upon the environment that may result from implementation of these sanitary sewer improvements.

The Owens Cross Roads Water Authority proposes a project to upgrade its water treatment system.  The Owens Cross Roads WTP (Water Treatment Plant) will be expanded to meet existing water supply demands, increasing its treatment capacity from 1.0 MGD (million gallons per day) to 2.0 MGD.  Proposed improvements include the construction of a new filter building (with new filters and energy efficient lighting) as well as the construction of a new clear well.  New high service pumps (with VFD (variable frequency drive) controls) will be installed, as the existing high service pumps will be converted to backwash pumps for the new filters.  Additionally, a water softening system, filter backwash pond and an auxiliary generator will be installed to reduce hard water and calcium issues, eliminate monthly sewer use charges, as well as maintain system operation during power outages, respectively.  The Authority successfully completed phases one and two of its three-phase water system master plan.  Completion of the proposed improvements (phase three) will allow the system to meet current and future water supply demands, thus eliminating the costs of purchasing supplemental water from neighboring water systems.  Moreover, the proposed project will increase treatment and system reliability, while reducing overall operational costs with optimized equipment and facilities.

The Department has determined that the proposed projects will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment and consequently is herewith issuing a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) to support the use of SRF funds for the construction of the proposed projects.  However, this determination may be reconsidered if significant adverse information concerning the potential environmental impacts of the proposed projects is discovered.  Attached is an Environmental Assessment that details the proposed projects and their impact upon the environment.

Comments relative to these projects should be submitted in writing to Ms. Corynella L. Price,
SRF Section, Permits and Services Division, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, P.O. Box 301463, Montgomery, Alabama 36130-1463, no later than 30 days after the date of this FONSI.  The Department will not take formal action to proceed with the proposed projects without carefully evaluating any public comments concerning funding of the proposed projects.

This notice is hereby given this 22nd day of July, 2020, by authorization of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

_______________________
Lance R. LeFleur
Director      

Nondiscrimination Statement: The Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in the administration of its programs.