SUMMERDALE — The town of Summerdale could be close to having its own water system once again.

During Monday’s Town Council workshop, Summerdale Public Works Director Lee Irwin said the town’s original well could soon be operational.

“We’re cautiously optimistic,” he said, indicating that the last three tests conducted on the well indicated that it was safe to use. “We did one in January, February and another one in March.”

As previously reported, the then 10-year-old well was shut down in February 2012 when Alabama Department of Environmental Management sent a letter to the town stating that testing in ethylene dibromide had been detected in the water source. The letter explained that when ingested, excess levels of ethylene dibromide over an extended period of time could experience problems with their liver, stomach, reproductive system or kidneys, as well as have an increased risk of getting cancer. At that time, the town began purchasing water from neighboring utilities and searching for another location for its own well.

That location, not far from the original, was found last summer and subsequent testing followed. In August, the Summerdale Town Council awarded a $304,040 contract to drill the new well to Griner Drilling with funding from an ADEM grant. In September, the Summerdale Town Council approved geology work on the project to O’Donnell for $22,400, who has been involved with the endeavor since it began.However, just two months ago, Irwin told the council that the well is not producing enough water to make it a viable source for the town. As a result, the location was abandoned and the town lost $140,000 spent on the project. However, efforts immediately began to pursue funding for another new location for a well.

During Monday’s meeting, Diane Burnett of South Alabama Regional Planning told the council that Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs funding is available. However, application would need to be made quickly.

“The deadlines have been moved to June,” she said.

The council approved a resolution allowing Wilson to sign documents associated with the grant application.

If received, the funding would enable the well project to continue. However, Irwin said, if the original well gets the all clear, this new well would be used as a back-up water source.

“We can’t do anything until we hear back from ADEM,” he said.