Hamilton charges ahead with handful of back-up water supply channels [Video]

HAMTILON, Ala. (WBRC) – Hamilton city leaders promised they would never again be caught in water crisis after what happened last summer and earlier this year. Three backup systems are in the works now, two months after a winter freeze disrupted the water supply for thousands of residents.

According to Mayor Bob Page, the three backup water channels will connect to two water systems in Marion County and another in nearby Franklin County.

The first water crisis happened in August 2023 when a farm dam burst upstream, spewing agricultural chemicals in the Buttahatchee River – a river that’s normally clear quickly turned brown. That prompted a state of emergency in the town’s drinking water supply.

Fast-forward to January 2024, another crisis. This one caused by freezing temperatures that broke underground water pipes. The end result was some 700,000 bottles of water given out to citizens.

Mayor Bob Page vowed never again. On …