05/22/2026
🚧 Big progress is happening at the CEW&SA Water Treatment Plant! 🚧
CEW&SA has completed numerous pilot studies over the years to determine which treatment option is best to address our taste and odor issues caused by the compounds geosmin and MIB. These compounds are naturally occurring in our water source, Lake Martin, and research has shown that they are not harmful, but they do contribute to the unpleasant taste and odor our customers have been experiencing for years. From the pilot studies, GAC was determined to be the best treatment option. 💧
In 2025, the Board approved CEW&SA management to go to bid on the project. Associated Mechanical Contractors (AMCO), out of Montgomery, was selected and has been on site at the water treatment plant for about a month now. They have made great progress so far, and some big things happened this week. The GAC vessels were delivered and set on the new pad yesterday! This was the first big step toward better-tasting and better-smelling water.
There is still more work ahead, including:
🔹 Installation of a new holding tank
🔹 Construction of a pumping station
🔹 New piping and system connections
Contractors anticipate beginning testing of the new filtration system by late summer. ‼️
The biggest part of this project is the GAC, but there are other aspects of the project that will ensure reliability and longevity for many years to come at the filter plant.
More great news is that ADEM has indicated this project should be fully funded through grant funds, but there is still work to be done. While nothing has been given to CEW&SA in writing, EPA review panels have preliminarily approved CEW&SA to receive the grant.
Thank you to our customers for being patient with us during this process. We look forward to once again serving you the best-tasting and best-smelling water in Alabama. More information about the project, geosmin, MIB, and related topics can be found on our website. www.cewsa.com