New Year Brings New Leadership at Opelika Utilities

CONTRIBUTED BY OPELIKA UTILITIES

OPELIKA —

Opelika Utilities has a long history of providing reliable water service for Opelika and the surrounding region.

For 30 years, those efforts were led by General Manager Dan Hilyer. Matt McDougald worked with and learned from Dan for 13 of those years, originally as a consultant and most recently as his assistant general manager. Upon Dan’s retirement last month, McDougald became Opelika Utilities’ new general manager.

McDougald is a registered professional engineer with a civil engineering degree from Auburn University and more than 22 years of experience working in the water industry. He said that he looks forward to the opportunity to work with its great team, customers and area communities to build on this legacy in the years ahead.

Opelika Utilities collects, stores, treats and delivers up to 24 million gallons of water each day. It directly serve over 30,000 area residents and provide treated water to support another 75,000 customers through other that cater to specific community needs.”

Anyone in need of assistance can dial 211 on the phone to speak with a 2-1-1 call specialist. They can also text their ZIP code to 898211 to message a live 2-1-1 specialist. Calling the toll-free number 888-421-1266 will also connect callers with a 2-1-1 representative for help. Those who are hearing-impaired can call 711 and ask to be connected to 2-1-1 Connects Alabama.

The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has designated 2-1-1 for commu- nity information and referral services in the same way 911 is designated for emergency services, according to the state agency’s website.

Those in need may also look through an online database of resources by going to www.211connectsalabama. org and clicking on “Guided Search.” From there, search the database by keyword or browse resources by category.

According to Justice, local call specialists update the database a couple times a year by contacting the service providers already listed to confirm or update their information. The call specialists also research additional local service providers that may

Matt Mcdougald

municipalities and water utilities in the region. Under the direction of the Opelika Utilities Board, it have taken a long-term view of the water needs of Opelika’s citizens and industries to wish to be added.

“We attend community events, network with other local organization leaders and build mutually beneficial relationships to recruit new organizations and resources for the database,” Justice added. “There are so many local organizations that desire to better our community.” ensure that the essential facilities, infrastructure and workforce are in place to reliably provide safe, plentiful water now and for the future. Opelika Utilities has two water treatment plants and approximately 190 miles of transmission lines to bring water from local lakes to its treatment plants, and then on to its customers.

But providers don’t have to wait to be contacted. They can go to www.211.org and click on “Partner with Us” to find out how they can join their local 2-1-1 database.

The COVID-19 pandemic, along with the rising cost of living, have caused 2-1-1 agencies to see an increase in requests for help.

The W. Warner Williams Water Resource Park at Saugahatchee Lake, which opened in May 2013, is a LEEDcertified, state-of-the-art water treatment plant with administration, distribution and maintenance facilities.

In Lee County, the most common needs change with the seasons, but Justice said assistance with rent and utility bills is one of the most prominent needs overall. Homelessness is also at the forefront, but there are limited local resources available to address that need. Together with several other local organizations, Justice said 2-1-1 meets monthly with the One Voice Homeless Coalition to come up with ways to help.

“Also, as prices continue to rise on everything, people are now having to make more and more difficult decisions on the most important financial needs of their families,” Justice added.

This facility can provide up to 8 million gallons of water per day.

The Robert A. Betts Water Treatment Plant can provide up to an additional 16 million gallons per day from Lake Harding, bringing Opelika’s total treated water capacity to nearly 24 million gallons per day. An agreement in place with Georgia Power will allows Opelika Utilities to increase the amount of water treated from Lake Harding to as much as 42 million gallons per day.

Like other water utilities across the country, Opelika Utilities must keep these facilities

“After bills are paid, they may realize money is scarce for groceries, so the need for grocery assistance and local food pantries is rising every day.”

Each 2-1-1 call specialist is trained to quickly and effectively connect callers with local resources.

“Even if the resource you are looking for isn’t available through the 2-1-1 database, they will do their best to connect you with someone who might be able to help or try and assist with any other needs you have,” Justice said. “There is no shame in asking for help when you need it, and 2-1-1 wants to be the resource you turn to in your time of need.”

PUBLISHER: Michelle Key in good working condition while also planning for future needs and meeting stringent new regulations. Investments in infrastructure are necessary. Growing communities require system expansion to serve new customers, and the systems and technology installed decades ago are reaching their end of life. Much of the underground water transmission pipelines, pumps and other older equipment need replacement to avoid future reliability and water quality issues — with an estimated $300 million needed in funding

See WATER, page A5

Dobbs said she finds it rewarding to help local people in need.

“I enjoy working for 2-1-1 because I know at the end of the day, I was a friendly voice to them in a time of need and that at least one person was able to get the help they needed,” she said.

Justice added that working together with several local individuals and organizations enhances the help and resources United Way is able to provide.

“Here, at the United Way of Lee County, we believe there is power in the collective,” she said. “Individually we can do little, but together we can do a lot.”

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