Municipal Utilities Board of Decatur

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management has made $6,000,000 in financial assistance available to the Municipal Utilities Board of Decatur using funds from the FY 2009 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan program and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). 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 this project.

The Decatur Utilities is proposing various water system improvements to the Decatur water filtration plant and the distribution system. Proposed improvements to the WTP consist of a standby emergency generator, replacement of filter wash water piping, coating of filter gallery walls, new electronic controls and data collection system. An Optimization Study will be performed to evaluate current plant processes and performance. As a result of the Optimization Study, process improvements will be implemented to reduce disinfection byproducts. Improvements to the distribution system include the installation of SCADA equipment and tank mixers in three water storage tanks to reduce water age. Completion of these projects will improve reliability of the existing water treatment plant, enhance the quality of the finished water and ensure that the system is capable of meeting the water quality standards of its operating permit.

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management has determined that the project qualifies for a Categorical Exclusion (CE) from further environmental study under the guidelines specified by the State Environmental Review Process (SERP) which specifically include actions which are solely directed toward minor rehabilitation of existing facilities, functional replacement of equipment, or towards the construction of new ancillary facilities adjacent or appurtenant to existing facilities. However, this decision may be reconsidered if significant adverse information concerning the potential environmental impacts of the project is discovered.

Comments relative to this project should be submitted in writing to Mr. Michael J. Barilone, SRF and Operator Certification Section, Permits and Services Division, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Post Office Box 301463, Montgomery, Alabama 36130-1463, no later than 30 days after the date of this CE. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management will not take formal action to proceed with the project without carefully evaluating any public comments opposing the project.

This notice is hereby given this July 3, 2009 by authorization of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

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Onis "Trey" Glenn, III

                                                                                                                                                    Director