Published: October 07, 2009 01:30 am      

Bronston gets new 500,000-gallon water tank

Residents of Bronston can rest a little easier now that the community has received a brand new 500,000 gallon water tank.

“It (the tank) is a big asset to all the people in that area,” said state representative Tommy Turner.

The Bronston Water Association Inc. received the new tank through state funding pushed by local representatives — including Turner — and on Tuesday several community leaders and employees with the association gathered at the water association office in Bronston to celebrate the new addition.

“It’s a beautiful tank,” said Bronston Water Association President Charles Cassada. “It should do us and bring us within the guidelines the state requires.”

Cassada said the old tank used by the association did not hold enough gallons to supply the community in case of an emergency, which is required by the state.

The community was also close to growing significantly as well, with the construction of a new subdivision in Bronston.

“We wouldn’t of had the water to supply them either,” Cassada said.

The recession slowed that project considerably, but Cassada said the Bronston Water Association is ready to meet the needs of that neighborhood once families start moving in.

“We’re a pretty good size for an association that doesn’t even make their own water,” he said.

Bronston purchases water from Monticello to supply the community. Cassada said the association has close to 1,800 meters on its service, including several that were only recently hooked into the system.

Some residents located on Flynn Road in Bronston had gotten their water from a spring — but that source became limited due to the dry weather that’s plagued the region in the last two years.

“They’re on the system, and they’re really pleased with it,” Cassada said.

And should an emergency happen, Bronston can meet the needs of its customers.

“We’re there if they really need us,” Cassada said.

Cassada thanked local representatives for making the tank a priority when discussions about the new tank began around two years ago.

That funding helped the association avoid handing down a rate hike on its customers.

“I want to help the people that need help the most,” said Turner. “People need drinking water.

“We’ve been fortunate about getting the money in the state budget to be able to do the project,” Turner added. “I just appreciate the opportunity to help and work with these guys.”