<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4TiEAs_1DW4zbUq00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4TiEAs_1DW4zbUq00" width="1174" height="660" >CULLMAN COUNTY, Ala. (ABC 33/40) — A newly approved wastewater discharge permit tied to a major residential development near Lewis Smith Lake is drawing concern from some residents, while those behind the project say the system will better protect the lake than traditional septic systems.The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) recently approved an NPDES permit for the Vista Lago development in Cullman County. According to ADEM's response to public comments, the permit allows what the agency says is the first direct discharge of treated wastewater into Lewis Smith Lake through Ryan Creek. The facility will be permitted to discharge up to 60,000 gallons of treated domestic wastewater per day, provided it meets state and federal water quality standards before being released.<h2>Residents who live near the lake are worried about the long-term impacts.</h2>"We've got the cleanest lake in the state right now why would we want to pollute it," Cullman County resident Billy Meeks said.Meeks said his concern is what could happen if the treatment system were to fail in the future. "Eventually it's going to fail and what's going to happen is it's going to be sewage coming out in our lake and my kids and my grandkids they swim in this lake and I want to keep this lake as pristine as we can," Meeks said.Scott Roberts, another resident, questioned whether those behind the project have enough confidence in the treated water."All I want to know is when you make this new development will you take a cup of that water that's going into this lake, put some ice cubes in it, you, your wife, your grandkids drink it? You do? Hey that's fine that's proof enough for me but if you're not going to do that I'm out," Roberts said.Developers say many concerns are based on misconceptions about the technology being used."We're a better system, (as opposed to septic) we're a cleaner system; we're a technology that is evolving forward into a better future for Smith Lake. We're putting down deep roots here. This is not a development fly by," said lead developer Nathan Stoops who lives near the lake.Michael Shamsie, the engineer of record for the project, said the wastewater will undergo extensive treatment before it is discharged."We'd clean the wastewater up to near drinking water standards."Shamsie also argued the proposed treatment plant would reduce pollution compared to traditional septic systems already surrounding the lake."When that hits the septic fields, it's going to penetrate into the lake. It's being done now, just people don't know it, and that level of contamination, that level of pollutants is significantly greater than our pollutant levels," Shamsie said.Stoops said he believes the technology represents an improvement over conventional septic systems commonly used around Smith Lake."There is a real need for technical evolution in the septic world on Smith Lake. All of the drain fields that are popping up along the lake are kind of the way it's always been done. This technology is a technology of the future that will help ensure the environmental protection of the lake for generations," Stoops said.Zackry Cooper another sponsor of the project who owns a home one the lake expressed confidence in the system."I have no problem, I'll be swimming in that lake and living in that subdivision just to give you an idea," Cooper said.Representatives with Vista Lago said they are willing to answer questions from residents and believe the treatment system will ultimately benefit the lake rather than harm it.</div></body>

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CULLMAN COUNTY, Ala. (ABC 33/40) — A newly approved wastewater discharge permit tied to a major residential development near Lewis Smith Lake is drawing concern from some residents, while those behind the project say the system will better protect the lake than traditional septic systems. The Alabama Department of...

Residents raise concerns over wastewater; developers say system will protect Smith Lake

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CULLMAN COUNTY, Ala. (ABC 33/40) — A newly approved wastewater discharge permit tied to a major residential development near Lewis Smith Lake is drawing co

Residents raise concerns over wastewater; developers say system will protect Smith Lake

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