Lake Columbia

Is set for construction in 2011 or 2012

LUFKIN - Officials with the Angelina and Neches River Authority are sticking to their plan, 30 years in the making, to provide a rural water supply in Cherokee and Smith counties.

Kenneth Reneau, ANRA general manager, confirmed Wednesday that Lake Columbia is nearing construction, despite several necessary hurdles.

"We're looking somewhere in the 2011, 2012 time frame," he said. "We will be in the construction phase once we get (necessary documentation)."
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"Lake Columbia is a necessary project for this five-county planning area," Reneau said. "The long-term future for water supply in this area is a question, and a number of participants are currently depending on wells for their water.

"As that area grows, demand for water will continue to grow also. We believe this project will take care of needs in quantity as well as quality."

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"Conservation is certainly an element in solving the problem, but additional water sources will have to be generated."