A $4.7 million water expansion project in North Baldwin County which includes 57 miles of water lines and a 250,000-gallon water tank should be completed by July, according to North Baldwin Utilities general manager Jason Padgett.

The Community Development Block Grant was received by the Baldwin County Commission, while NBU will own, operate and maintain the expanded system.

Areas affected by the project include Phillipsville, Little River, Blacksher and areas along County Road 96 between U.S. 59 and County Road 47.

The grant includes a waiver of the $1,000 tapping and connection fees for all subscribers with a primary residence. The grant does not cover a $50 deposit fee.

Crews began directional boring under Dyas Creek last Friday to connect water lines to supply water to the Perdido Water System at U.S. 31.

After connection, water will be tested before connecting to homes, churches and businesses in the Perdido system, Padgett said.

Subscribers should begin using water by the end of April.

A second series of water lines began at the Monroe County line headed south and have reached the Blacksher Community.

Padgett said footings for the 250,000-gallon water tower at Cumbie Road and U.S. 59 are now being poured and the project should be providing water in July.

“We are getting lots of calls asking when the project will be completed and contractors say they are on schedule,” Padgett said Monday. “They particularly want it completed before hurricane season. We hope to get good drinking water to them as quickly as possible and we want them to know they will have water in times of emergency.

NBU supplies all water to Bay Minette, White House Fork, Stockton, Tensaw and about 50,000 gallons daily to Spanish Fort.

The Spanish Fort Water System serves 3,000 subscribers. The system is connected to NBU on U.S. 31, receives Mobile water through a Causeway connection and has four active wells.

The White House Fork system encompasses an area from Bay Minette city limits east to Buzbee’s Fish Camp, Cliff’s Landing Road south to Stapleton.

For more information, contact NBU by phone at (251) 580-1626 or by email at jpadgett@ci.bay-minette.al.us.