BAY MINETTE, Ala. — North Baldwin Utilities will soon join forces with its fellow utility providers throughout Baldwin County in an effort to better provide water to customers.

During its regular Board of Directors meeting Wednesday, the NBU Board unanimously voted to join the Baldwin County Water Distributors Assocation.

Prior to the vote, NBU General Manager Jason Padgett told the board that the association is a new endeavor created by Riviera Utilities.

“Richard Peterson is heading that up,” he said in the meeting.

Padgett said that by joining together into an association would actually strengthen participating companies, especially with water contracts or legal issues “when we come together as one voice.”

The general manager explained that NBU already participates in such an association for its gas issues.

Padgett told the board that participation would not require many fees for the 14 Baldwin County utility companies that are considering the project.

“If we need any fees for any litigation or to get bills passed, we’ll divide the costs evenly,” he said.

With its agreement to join the association, the NBU Board designated Padgett as its representative.

Also Wednesday, the board:

• Changed the date of its March meeting to March 21 at 8:30 a.m.
• Approved an accounts payable report of $755,446.55.
• Heard a safety report that no accidents or on-the-job injuries occurred at NBU in January.
• Heard reports that NBU had no sanitary-sewer overflows, discharges or violation of permits in January.