BAY MINETTE, Ala. — North Baldwin Utilities’ sewer equalization basin off Newport Parkway had cosmetic touches finished last week. So it is now ready to take on storm water and add to the appearance of the neighborhood located at the northeast quadrant of the intersection of Newport Parkway and Old Pensacola Road.

The area, once a 9-acre wood, now features a storm-water-retention basin with a polymer lining, a chain length fence, sidewalk, trees and newly-planted sod, according to NBU General Manager Jason Padgett.

“NBU implemented an environment-friendly concept,” he said in an interview. “We protect the environment and the citizens, and in turn we all win. Not only are we benefiting, the neighborhood is benefiting and if we get rain events, we’ll have the facility ready to go.”

The company is responsible for collecting wastewater from customers’ premises and transporting it to a treatment facility before releasing it into local streams, as stated in a news release. Parts of the city’s sewer system date back to the 1930s, while some major segments are from the 1940s and 1950s.

The Still Wastewater Treatment Facility was built in 1984, and the Westside Wastewater Treatment Facility was built in 2003, according to the news release.

The city’s sewer is “old but still good,” according to Padgett, and the basin will hold excess rain water during storms. The water-treatment facility valves will close, and water will remain in the basin until treatments have caught up and the water will not overflow, he explained.

According to Padgett, the basin project began in December 2009 and required the removal of 90,000 cubic yards of dirt.

“We won and the city won by getting a new road, sidewalk and everything else,” he said.

Padgett recalled a noticeable difference since the wooded area once boasted “mudholes, paper and trash.”

“The comments I’ve gotten from people is that they’re so proud of  the cosmetic look in this neighborhood,” he said.