Perry County and city of Marion in dispute over providing water to Cosby Hill neighborhood

The city of Marion and the Perry County Commission find themselves in a water battle.

About 50 residents of the Cosby Hill neighborhood have been getting their water from the city of Marion since 1992, even though they aren’t within the city limits. Perry County Commission Chairman Albert Turner Jr. says the county is going to take those customers back now that the county can provide the water.

Turner said in an interview on May 25 that the commission will revoke the permission it gave to Marion in 1992 to provide water to Cosby Hill by May 31, detaching the water lines from the city system and attaching the customers to the county system. Turner suggested that instead of completely disconnecting from the city system, a valve and a meter should be installed so the county could provide water if the city ever runs out of water.

The county commission’s authority to take over the customers is unclear. During the May 23 Perry County Commission meeting, Turner called for a motion to join a lawsuit against the city of Marion to get Cosby Hill customers on the county water system. That motion was tabled after Commissioner Brett Harrison moved to table the motion until he could familiarize himself with the situation.

However, the Perry County Circuit Clerk’s office confirmed that the lawsuit filed by the Perry County Water Authority against the city of Marion concluded May 19, five days before the county commission meeting, with the judge ruling in favor of Marion. Judge Collins Pettaway Jr. ruled that Marion will continue to provide water to the citizens of Cosby Hill unless the customers formally petition for a change.

More from this section

Japan's cherry blossom season dazzles locals and tourists

Dizzying month on markets with Middle East war

Iran hangs two 'political prisoners' from banned opposition: activists

Turner said the county got a grant and laid water pipes in 1992 and tied into the city system because the county did not have a water system at that time. Now that the county’s water system is well established, Turner said, “The county should be sure county residents get clean water and that we don’t waste grant money.”

Marion Mayor Dexter Hinton said he does not understand how the commission can step into an action of the Perry County Water Authority. The Water Authority “is an entity by itself, and the commission is an entity by itself. And county water costs twice as much as the city, and no one has asked the customers what they want,” Hinton said.

As for the water lines, Hinton said he has invoices that show that the lines were laid by the city of Marion, not the county. He said the Perry County Water Authority did not exist in 1992. He said the water authority was reestablished in 2004. “But here it is 2023, and the commission wants to step in and take our customers from us,” Hinton said.

Turner said Cosby Hill residents have complained about the quality of the water and the service itself. Hinton said there has only been one complaint, and it was about weak water pressure, an issue he said is being addressed.