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FLUSHING OF FIRE HYDRANTS

• NBU works with fire departments to flush hydrants annually. Not all hydrants are flushed annually, but NBU makes every effort to touch each fire hydrant annually. 

• NBU charges the fire department for materials or the fire department's source and then NBU installs the hydrants. 

• NBU works to ensure there is communication if the flushing will likely result in dirty water for a time and works to flush in such a way that the pipes are disturbed as little as possible to minimize dirty water situations in your home.

 

UP FRONT COST TO THE CUSTOMER TO MERGE

• Customers will see an immediate decrease in their water bills. New, decreased rates will be effective immediately. 

• There will be no additional fees to customers. Any deposit on file will follow the customer to NBU’s system. Any debt with WHWS will also follow the customer to NBU.

 

DEBT / ASSETS FROM WHWS TO NBU

• The liquid cash on hand with the system would be used to pay off any debts/liabilities WHWS owes. The existing infrastructure would immediately begin to be upgraded.

 

WATER QUALITY

• NBU’s water quality is tested daily. 

• Part of ensuring quality water to customers is proper maintenance of the lines.

 

SERVICE FOR MARK-UPS

• A WHWS customer commented that the quality of service they are getting from WHWS is not worth what WHWS marks up the water purchased from NBU. He said WHWS is not providing the level of value they are paying for.

 

ANNEXATION

• NBU is not affiliated with the City of Bay Minette in such a way that this merger alone would trigger an annexation. 

• All systems NBU has previously merged with have maintained their own identity including names of communities on water tanks

• NBU supports the local public education system in the communities they serve and works with the fire departments in these communities.

• NBU respects the individual identities of each community and the uniqueness that its residents have grown to love and support.

 

COST TO UPGRADE THE SYSTEM

• Six months ago, it was estimated to cost $2.5 to $3 million to make necessary system upgrades. 

• As of today, with the rise in costs of materials, it is estimated to take $3.5 to $4 million to make the necessary upgrades.

 

SAVINGS BENEFITS

• While there is a financial benefit to NBU merging with White House Water System, the savings is not to NBU.

• NBU is going to make the necessary infrastructure investment to increase the number of connections and serve underserved areas within the market and service territory. 

• The savings is primarily to the WHWS customer in that they will not bear the redundant costs of duplicate infrastructure installation through their rates.

 

NBU BOARD OF DIRECTORS

• Unlike WHWS, the board members of NBU are appointed. Residents on the system can apply to be considered for a Board position, then Bay Minette City Council appoints the board members. 

• NBU’s Board consists of representatives from around the system, so those members can be their eyes and ears in those communities.

 

WHWS OFFICE / STAFF

• WHWS office would remain open to serve the residents.

• No one would lose their job unless they choose not to work with NBU. 

• Also, NBU will provide training to all employees. NBU encourages staff to pursue water and wastewater licenses dependent upon the area that they are working in.  NBU pays for that certification process. 

 

SEWER SERVICES

• NO CHARGES for sewer added to WHWS if the merger happens. 

• NBU sewer system is only available to residents within the city limits of Bay Minette and is required by an ordinance.

• There are NO PLANS to extend those services into the WH community.