WATER BOARD INFORMATION
The Members of the Board of Directors Are:
Johnny Hatchett
James Bonner
Shane Emerson
Holly Clem
Ricky Mitchell
Board meetings are normally held on the last Monday of each month at 8:30 AM at the Ardmore Water System Office.
January 2026 Update
Ardmore Water System Appoints Holly Clem to Water Board
December 29, 2025
The Ardmore Water System is pleased to announce the appointment of Holly Clem to
the Ardmore Water Board.
Ms. Clem was officially appointed on December 29, 2025, and will serve a two-year term.
Her appointment reflects the system’s continued commitment to responsible
governance, transparency, and service to the Ardmore community.
“We are pleased to welcome Holly Clem to the Ardmore Water Board,” said Johnny Hatchett,
Chairman of the Board. “Her willingness to serve demonstrates a strong commitment to our
community, and we look forward to her contributions as we continue working to provide
safe, reliable, and responsible water service to our customers.”
The Ardmore Water Board provides oversight and guidance for the operation of the water
system, helping ensure sound policy decisions, infrastructure planning, and long-term
sustainability for the communities it serves.
The Ardmore Water System looks forward to Ms. Clem’s service during her term and
remains dedicated to maintaining high standards of public service and accountability.
November 2025 Update
Ardmore Water System Secures $5 Million Federal Grant for Major Improvements
In a significant boost to the local infrastructure, the Ardmore Water System has been awarded a $5 million federal grant facilitated by Congressman Dale Strong. Ardmore Water System will provide approximately $2 million in matching funds. This funding will be used to enhance and improve Ardmore’s water supply and equipment, ensuring better reliability and service for the community.
The grant comes at a crucial time as Ardmore works to modernize its water infrastructure to meet growing demands and upgrade aging systems. Funds will be directed toward exploring for additional wells and improving water sources, connecting the two new wells that are not currently installed, updating in new technology designed to increase efficiency and enhance overall water quality.
“This investment is a game-changer for our town,” said Johnny Hatchett, Chairman of the Ardmore Water System. “With Congressman Strong’s support, we can ensure that Ardmore residents have access to a safer, more reliable water supply for many years to come.”
These improvements are expected to minimize system disruptions and strengthen the community’s water infrastructure. Project planning is underway, with major upgrades expected to begin early next year.
Ardmore Water System continues the construction phase of the new Wastewater Treatment Plant that was funded through a $15 million grant from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM). This funding, facilitated by Representative Andy Whitt, will support major improvements to Ardmore’s Wastewater Treatment Plant infrastructure. Ardmore Water is also responsible for $5 million matching funds for this project.
The grant will enable the Ardmore Water System to upgrade aging equipment, expand treatment capacity, and ensure the community’s wastewater systems continue to meet rigorous environmental and safety standards.
“We are incredibly grateful to Congressman Dale Strong, and Congress for the Federal Funds and Representative Andy Whitt and ADEM for their state support. These investments will strengthen our water and sewer systems, benefiting our residents for many years to come.”
For more information or questions, contact Johnny Hatchett at 256-423-6161.
December 2024 Update
There have been several inquiries about projects underway for the Ardmore Water System. We currently have an active Alabama grant in the amount of $1,000,808.00 for a sewer rehab project on Jones Ave and 1st Ave West to replace the current sewer main with a new larger sewer main and move and replace three manholes. This grant will also replace a sewer line on 1stStreet behind Jones Drug Store and refurbish several manholes.
We also have a grant from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and EPA for wastewater treatment plant renovations in the approximate amount of 20 million dollars.Initial progress is set to begin by December 16, 2024 and construction plans are scheduled to begin January 27, 2025. Planned completion is December 2027.
In early September 2024, we were approved for a USDA-Rural Development Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant in the amount of one million dollars. The purpose is for thedesign and drilling of a new ground water well. The search for property and a water source will begin as soon as we are given the go-ahead from USDA.
In April 2024, we applied for Alabama Congressman Dale Strong’s FY2025 Community Project Funding in the amount of $7,300,000.00, which would fund a Groundwater TreatmentFacility project.
A BIL Lead Service Line Inventory grant in the amount of $294,117.64, through the state of Tennessee was approved in June 2024. This service line inventory was a requirement by the EPAand both States have been inventoried and results submitted.
We have also secured an American Rescue Plan Act grant through the state of Tennessee for approximately 2.3 million dollars. This grant will be used to install a 10-inch line to eliminateoverflows on Main St. and also to do rehab work on various lift stations.
As you can see, we have been awarded almost 32 million dollars in grants for these much-needed projects. But they do not come without a price tag on our end. The Water System will beresponsible for approximately $7.3 million dollars. Our rates are reviewed annually and have increased marginally each year. After a review of our financials, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management has required us to increase our water and sewer rates annually.
These are exciting times for our community, and we hope to see future growth come to our Town and City so that we may serve our customers for many years to come.
January 2024 Update
At the January 31, 2024, Water Board Meeting, an Ardmore Water customer propounded questions to the board and management regarding the recent water outage during the week of January 15, 2024. Those questions and Ardmore Water’s attorneys’ responses are set out below.
Question 1. The water outage that occurred during the week of January 15, 2024 has truly been a failure of our current water system and its infrastructure. How does the Ardmore Water System plan for this situation not happening again.
Response: The cold temperatures during the week of January 15th were an extremely unusual event. The customers of Ardmore Water, in order to prevent their own pipes from freezing,turned their taps on thereby draining the tank maintained by the Limestone County Water Authority from which the town of Ardmore acquires water. As a result, the low water level in thattank created an unsafe condition for further water use until the tank could reach a safe water level. The management of Ardmore Water received a phone call at 4:30 PM on the afternoon thatwe were told that the water supply would be cut.
Ardmore Water has been looking for additional sources of water for several years. Sources include Lincoln County Tennessee, Madison County, Alabama, and additional water flow fromLimestone County. Cost is a significant factor.
Question 2. Historically, it seems Ardmore Water System has purchased water from Lincoln County, Tennessee. Would it have been feasible to purchase water from them during thiscrisis?
Response: No, not at that time. In the past Ardmore Water has tried to purchase water from Lincoln County and it was not financially feasible due to the unaffordable price. At the time of thecrisis, communications were initiated with Lincoln County and we were informed that at that time Lincoln County would also have not been able to provide water as well.
Question 3. When water is being supplied by Limestone County water department to Ardmore Water System and an interruption occurs, how is the water system notified?
Response: On the rare occasions this occurs, the CEO of Limestone County Water Authority calls chairman Billy Shannon or Superintendent Wayne Miller by phone to let Ardmore know.Normally there is advance notice of an interruption and planning can take place. In those situations the public usually is not even aware. The week of January 15, there was no advance noticefrom Limestone Water, none.
Question 4. What is the current amount of water (%) Ardmore purchases from the Limestone County Water Authority each month.
Response: The number varies depending upon the month of the year but averages between 35% to 40%.
Question 5. When was the last time the Ardmore Water System upgraded the water main?
Response: There are several water mains throughout the City of Ardmore water system. They are upgraded on an as needed basis and as operating capital allows.
Question 6. There is currently a $15,000,000 grant to upgrade the Ardmore sewer system. Is a grant currently being worked on to upgrade the water system?
Response: We are continually working to obtain numerous grants, but such grants are very slow and time consuming. At present we are committed to repay approximately five milliondollars in order to obtain the $15,000,000 grant referenced in the question.
Question 7. In my observation of the Water System, it is owned by the public corporation name Waterworks and Sewer Board of Town of Ardmore, Alabama.
a. As a public corporation
i. Who owns the shares of stock?
ii. How can shares be traded or purchased?
iii. Is there a corporate board of directors and what are the names of those individuals?
Response: The water system is a part of the Town of Ardmore, Alabama, and is operated by a corporation established pursuant to Alabama law. The assets of the water system are therefore assets of the town. There are no shares of stock and no shares of stock can be purchased. The original incorporation was made pursuant to Act No. 175 of the 1951 Alabamalegislature. That law is now established pursuant to Alabama Code 11-50-310 et seq. (Code of Alabama 1975 as amended) which pertains to the establishment of the municipal corporationsfor the purposes of maintenance of public utilities. That law allows for a Board of Directors in order for the management of such corporations.
The current board members are Billy Shannon, Billy Ray Hall, James Griffin, Wayne Harvell and Shane Emerson.
Question 8. What is the agreement between the corporation who owns the water system and the Town of Ardmore, Alabama and the City of Ardmore, Tennessee?
Response: The towns of Ardmore, Alabama, and Ardmore, Tennessee, entered into a joint agreement on October 29, 1965, that acknowledged that on June 1, 1956, that the town of Ardmore,Alabama, agreed to furnish the town of Ardmore, Tennessee, water through a 75,000 gallon water storage tank in 1956. The 1965 agreement recognized the obligation of the Town ofArdmore, Alabama, to maintain and operate the Town of Ardmore, Tennessee’s water system. This was to be a 30 year agreement. As of the time of the answering of this question, there hasnot been any other document located extending or redefining that agreement. The two towns continue to operate under the same agreement since 1965.
Question 9. According to the ordinance No. 94-02-03 and 95-01-12 that I have found, the City of Ardmore, Tennessee still owns the assets on the Tennessee side, but give authority to the water system to maintain and operate the system in the Tennessee side.
a. Has there been a time the City of Ardmore, Tennessee assets been granted ownership to the water system?
Response: The Ardmore Water System owns the lands upon which the water tanks, pump stations, and the well located in Ardmore Tennessee are located. The Ardmore Water System owns the meters and hydrants located in Ardmore Tennessee. The Ardmore Water System maintains the piping located within the ground in Ardmore, Tennessee. Ardmore,Tennessee does not maintain a water system staff. There has not been a granting of ownership of any other assets to the Town of Ardmore, Tennessee.