Alabama Green Industry Says it's Singled Out in Drought

Three major concerns were voiced at the Birmingham Water Works' 2007 Drought Summit on Tuesday: Don't unfairly single out the "green" industry, work harder at convincing water users to conserve, and improve the response to leak complaints.

The meeting came after record drought brought three months of mandatory water restrictions, and it fell in the shadow of current drought emergencies in Georgia.

"In past we've been criticized for the actions we've taken," board Chairman Anthony Barnes told an audience of about 45. "When you look at what's happening in other Southern cities, you'll probably agree Birmingham took the right steps."

But the "green" industry - a $1.9 billion industry in Alabama that employs 31,000 and includes businesses like commercial and retail nurseries, greenhouses, landscapers and turf grass growers - told Water Works officials that they felt unfairly targeted.

Phillip Hunter, an ornamental tree farmer in Childersburg who sits on the board of the Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association, said that under Water Works drought management rules, the only industry singled out is the green industry.

"We'd like to see this change," he said, "so that water restrictions are shared by all industry."

Libby Rich, owner of the Plant Odyssey, held up a Yellow Pages and told Water Works officials that only 20 to 25 nurseries are listed there.

Yet only nurseries were targeted with restrictions of water use, she said. "Not one restaurant. No hairdresser was restricted. No spa was restricted. No ice maker was restricted," she said.

Members of the green industry said they would help with conservation measures. Mac Underwood, the Water Works general manager, said he was not committing to making changes, but would look into possibly tweaking the drought management rules.

Joe Nelson, president of an irrigation company called The Nelson Team, and Beth Stewart, executive director of the Cahaba River Society, spoke about the need for much greater water conservation efforts, even when there is no drought.

Nelson said that rain sensors, pressure regulators and drip irrigation can cut waste from lawn irrigation systems.

Stewart said that re-engineering the way water is used to sharply reduce consumption could help the Water Works meet current needs and future growth while spending less on developing a new water source. The Water Works has said it needs a new water supply source by 2025, and Underwood said the Water Works will publicly present several alternatives next year.

In response to several comments and complaints about the handling of reported leaks, Underwood said the Water Works has tripled the amount of money it spends to replace old water mains to about $9 million a year.

And T.M. "Sonny" Jones, the assistant general manager of engineering and maintenance, pledged to improve the Water Works process for customers reporting leaks.