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The source of our city's drinking water is the Elk River.

Athens Water Services provides water to approximately 10,600 customers and sewerage service to approximately 7,200 customers. We continually strive to provide a high quality of service to all our customers with a minimal amount of interruption and inconvenience when construction or maintenance activities are performed.

The Steve Carter Training Facility at Leak City is a one-of-a-kind, small-scale city encompassing 2-1/2 acres that serves as a training facility for natural gas operators. The facility was the vision of Steve Carter, Manager of Athens Gas. Mr. Carter originally planned for a site where his own employees could be trained, however interest from the gas community as well as the demand for training quickly led to the development of a truly unique training arena. The city contains homes, streets, streetlights and natural gas pipelines, all which play an important role in training.

Inside Leak City, the focus is exclusively on the natural gas industry, providing cost-effective solutions to meet today’s stringent requirements for training, education and safety. Time is taken to identify the scope of training needs, resulting in a huge return on investment. The instructors/trainers are competent, certified professionals who have met rigorous industry requirements. Each possesses integrity and a comprehensive knowledge of the natural gas industry.

A trip to Leak City leaves you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform required covered tasks in the natural gas industry.

The City of Athens responded to a couple of media requests inquiring about the advertisement of a Zoning Ordinance amendment related to data centers. One media outlet misunderstood the information provided, which has led to some confusion as to the intent of the amendment.

The City is proposing an amendment to its Zoning Ordinance to address data centers because not doing so leads to legal uncertainty. 

The City of Athens has not received a request related to a data center, but the City of Athens saw a growing trend that communities across the U.S. are dealing with regarding proposed data centers, and many of those communities, including Athens, had Zoning Ordinances that did not address them.

The City proposes addressing data centers as a conditional use in the manufacturing/heavy industrial zone, meaning they are not automatically allowed in that zone but would have to make a request to locate in that zone. Conditional use provides an additional level of scrutiny and the ability to apply conditions of use, restricts the location and does not offer a guarantee of approval. 

Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance are advertised publicly. They start with the Planning Commission where there is a public hearing, and then the Planning Commission sends it to City Council with or without a recommendation. They go to the City Council for another public hearing and final action.

The proposed amendment to address data centers is scheduled to appear on the City Council’s agenda on April 27. 

Athens is joining communities across the nation in celebrating America’s 250^th birthday.

The Alabama USA Semiquincentennial Commission and American Village named Athens one of the state’s America 250 cities. 

“America 250 Alabama is more than just a celebration - it’s a chance to reflect on our past and share how Alabama’s history helped shape the nation,” said Natalie Steed, Executive Officer of the Alabama USA Semiquincentennial Commission. “We are excited to work with local committees across the state. I’m proud to see Athens taking the lead in planning meaningful events to mark this historic occasion.” 

The local 250th committee is leading the community's planning and programming in celebration of the nation’s Semiquincentennial. Community leaders, educators, veterans, historians and civic volunteers comprise the Athens-America250AL committee. 

“The committee’s goal is to facilitate a coordinated effort to celebrate and educate,” said Committee Co-Chair Holly Hollman. “Our history is America’s history and a part of America’s 250^th celebration. We will work in conjunction with State of Alabama initiatives to promote events and programs not only for our citizens, but also tourists who visit our city.”

Athens-Limestone Tourism Association will serve as the communication hub for activities and programs. Any local entity that has a 250^th celebration planned will submit information to Tourism for inclusion on a designated 250^th celebration page on its website. To submit a 250th event to Tourism, use this link: Google Form

Committee Co-Chair Pammie Jimmar, who is Athens-Limestone County Chamber/Tourism President and CEO, said she is incredibly honored Athens is one of the America250Alabama Semiquincentennial Cities. 

“This recognition is not just about marking 250 years of our nation’s history,” Jimmar said. “It’s also about celebrating the generations of citizens whose vision, sacrifice and determination built the community we are blessed to call home.”

Jimmar said Athens has “always been a place where heritage and hope walk hand in hand.”

“Our local celebrations are an opportunity to reflect on where we’ve been, celebrate who we are today and boldly step into the future together,” she said.

The committee is working with the Sons of the American Revolution on a possible monument in the historic Athens City Cemetery near the burial place of John Wade Keyes, recognized by the State of Alabama as the state's first veteran. Extensive research indicates Keyes was the only person who had an association with Alabama who enlisted in the first 10 rifle companies of the Continental Army created June 1775. 

Records indicate Keyes enlisted in the Continental Army almost 13 months prior to the issuance of the Declaration of Independence.

A 2023 State of Alabama proclamation reads, “A recent assessment of other Revolutionary War veterans indicated that no other Continental Army veteran with an association to Alabama had prior service. Be it resolved by the legislature of Alabama, both houses thereof concurring, that John Wade Keyes of Limestone County is highly honored and recognized as Alabama’s first veteran of the armed forces of the United States of America.” 

The committee is also working with Tourism on the July 3-4 Red, White and Boom celebration, which will be a local 250^th celebration on Independence Day weekend. 

“By partnering with the City, County and Athens Arts League, we are bringing a high-energy, community-wide celebration for families, businesses and neighbors who can enjoy a patriotic party in unity and with pride,” Jimmar said. “This is more than an event. It is a symbol of the spirit that defines Athens: resilient, patriotic, forward-moving and strong.”

Red, White and Boom activities include:

• April to May – Athens Arts League will accept submissions for the July 3 – Athens Arts League and Tourism will host Art After Hours from 7-9 p.m. on Marion Street on The Square with JED-Eye performing rock classics and more. The Rocket City Starlets will participate, and there will be an art station where children can make a patriotic craft. Volunteers will distribute American flags and pocket size copies of the Constitution while supplies last.
• July 4 – Tourism will host the inaugural Red, White and Boom 5K and the traditional Red, White and Boom Festival at the Sportsplex with live music, games, food trucks, art winners, vendors and fireworks.

The celebration will not end with these weekend festivities. Athens State University plans to host a 250^th program on July 7 at 2 p.m. called “John Adams: Architect of our Democracy.” Brian “Fox” Ellis, an internationally acclaimed author, storyteller, historian, and naturalist, will present the program. You can read more about him and the John Adams program here: https://ilhumanities.org/speakers/brian-fox-ellis. 

More 250^th activities will be announced as they are submitted to Tourism.

“The best chapters of our story are still ahead, and I’m excited to celebrate this milestone with a community that continues to lead with heart,” Jimmar said. 

About America250AL

The Alabama USA Semiquincentennial Commission (America250AL) is Alabama’s official commission to lead the state’s planning for the United States Semiquincentennial in 2026. Learn more at www.america250al.org.