By By MaryClaire Foster
Starting Jan. 1, control of the Perdido Water Service Authority was turned over to North Baldwin Utilities.
Perdido was receiving its water supply from Atmore, but began negotiations in June 2008 to have North Baldwin take over operations and become its supplier.
According to a letter sent out by the Perdido Water Service Authority to its nearly 340 customers, the move was made as a way to save them money.
The letter also stated new ADEM regulations that would increase costs for small systems as well as being surrounded by North Baldwin and additional factors that would likely not increase revenue, but increase costs.
Jason Padgett, general manager of North Baldwin Utilities, said the switch was made through an asset acquisition transfer agreement and there was no money made in the deal.
The debt Padgett is referring to is the three months worth of bills owed to Atmore. Previously, Atmore Utilities Board was almost forced to shut off the Perdido water supply due to unpaid bills, which were paid soon after the shut off notice was given.
Padgett said North Baldwin was in the process of cutting a check and Atmore should be receiving a check by the end of the week.
Tom Wolfe, manager of the Atmore Utilities Board, said he is confident the transition will be a smooth one and this will only provide more opportunity for Atmore.
A relationship between Perdido and Atmore will continue for up to two more months as North Baldwin works on some engineering issues dealing with the water supply transition.
Currently, North Baldwin has two connections to the Perdido system, one just south of Interstate 65 on Baldwin County 47 and the second on U.S. 31 at Phillipsville Road. The existing connection to the Atmore system will remain at this time and North Baldwin will continue buying water from Atmore until a full transition has been made.
As part of the agreement between Perdido and North Baldwin, Perdido rates will remain the same for the next three years and after three years, North Baldwin will have the option to only increase rates similarly to that of other water systems operated outside of the Bay Minette city limits.
Former Perdido customers should now make their checks payable to NBU.