COTTONWOOD WATER SYSTEM

The Cottonwood Water system currently is available to customers for nearly 25% of Houston County.                      In addition to the Town of Cottonwood the system provides the only reliable source of water for firefighting in southeastern Houston County for the Lucy and Lovetown areas as well as the rural areas between these sections (an approximate 100 square mile area). The system uses three wells and three elevated storage tanks to supply potable water and water for firefighting. The Cottonwood water system originally supplied water to the Town of Madrid. The citizens there were afforded the same necessities and pleasures as those of the Cottonwood area. However, due to safety and environmental issues involving the piping and wetlands, the flow to Madrid was severed and water is now being furnished to Madrid from the Houston County Water Authority. Since the Town of Cottonwood had initially installed all of the piping and meters to handle the service to this area it was agreed that the Cottonwood Water Department would continue to maintain the system within Madrid and collect customer fees.  In a mutual agreement, Houston County and Cottonwood purchase water from each other's system to assure that all areas have water available.

It is never ending battle to make the system compliant with all applicable Alabama Department of Environmental standards.