JCSWA Cut-offs Are Imminent

The Jasper County Water & Sewer Authority (JCWSA) Tuesday discussed the fact they had added four customers in August, and system operator Jason Nord said they also did 10 connections in existing subdivisions. Those customers are not yet online, but it still generated revenue for the JCWSA.

Mr. Nord said that the county is going to have to find a new locate service, and suggested his company may take on that role. A piece of equipment costing $1,100 is needed, and then Alcovy Maintenance could do the locates.

Mr. Nord also reported that the quality of the water has been better, that Newton County is helping .

He explained that the water by the time it gets to Jasper County is a long way from the treatment plant. In the past, there has been some issues when the water gets to Jasper. Newton has recognized this and is doing more flushing, which is necessary to keep clean water flowing.

Mr. Nord explained that Jasper does its share of slushing too, getting rid of impurities at times. He also said there were no main breaks this month.

They discussed cutting service to customers who have not paid. The JCWSA has had a moratorium on that since the pandemic began, but they agreed to begin collecting the arrearage. The policy is the customer who is behind must pay the current month and 10 percent of the accumulated unpaid usage until it is paid up.

They will begin hanging warnings this week, and customers have five days to pay or be cut off.

JCWSA members also discussed water standards, and the county is to take up the issue of consistent standards at its next meeting, according to District 5 Commissioner Steven Ledford who also serves on the JCWSA.