(PRICHARD, Ala.) In Prichard and Chickasaw, customers are still waiting to see if Alabama voters gave the ok for MAWSS to take over the Prichard Water Board.
Amendment #5 passed in the statewide contest required to amend the Alabama constitution and allow the takeover.
But there's one more step that has to be taken.
The amedment requires the measure to win in all precincts that receive service from either water system.
That won't be known until later today, when attorneys for both water systems meet with election officials to count those precinct's votes.
MAWWS says a yes win will benefit consumers.
"The customers of Prichard and Chickasaw will be able to get water at a fair rate, and we'll be able to offer some better economic opportuinities for the region, and more cost effective operations," explains Barbara Shaw, a MAWSS Spokesperson.
Prichard's new mayor says the loss of revenue for his city will hurt.
"It would have an effect financially for us. There would be some loss of revenue that would pretty much cost some detriment finamncially for the city that we would not have an immediate means to find compensation for it," says Troy Ephriam
The precinct count is expected to be completed Wednesday. But there's a small chance there could be one more hurdle to jump.
"If it's still very, very close, the decision could still come down to provisional votes that will have to be counted, and that won't happen for another week," explains Ephriam.
