Senate votes in favor of Pearson’s Bill to increase Georgia’s Water Supply

The Georgia State Senate today voted to pass Sen. Chip Pearson’s (R-Dawsonville) legislation to facilitate the expansion of existing reservoirs in Georgia. Senate Bill 380 is a key component of Pearson’s efforts this year to ensure Georgia has access to an adequate water supply.

“Georgia will remain the economic engine of the South only if we ensure there is enough water to support our state’s future population growth. The passage of this bill is an important step to proactively secure water for our state,” said Pearson. “This measure simply allows the state environmental authority to loan money to local governments to expand existing reservoirs when funding is available.”

The legislation establishes a clear process in Georgia law for the Water Supply Division (WSD) of the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority to loan funds to local governments to expand existing reservoirs. Under SB 380, the WSD has the power to make loans and grants to a local government to pay all or any part of the cost of expanding and increasing the capacity of existing reservoirs. The bill also outlines what criteria must be used when considering requests for funding assistance, including the effect of recurring droughts on the region, the interconnectivity of the reservoir with surrounding local governments, how to facilitate public-private partnerships and any unique regional conditions.

The bill stipulates that the WSD can make the loans or grants when funding is available. Beginning this year, all funding requests must be submitted by July 1, and any awards will be issued no later than October 1 of that year.

Last week, the Senate also passed Pearson’s bill to allow for the development of public-private partnerships to build and expand reservoirs. Pearson has noted that in such difficult economic times, it’s imperative to incentivize the private sector to help expand Georgia’s water supply. Under Senate Bill 321, the WSD and local governments can enter into a water use agreement with the owner of any private reservoir.

Sen. Chip Pearson serves as chairman of the Economic Development Committee. He represents the 51st Senate District, which includes Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Pickens, and Union counties and portions of Forsyth and White counties. He may be reached at 404.656.9221 or via e-mail at chip.pearson@senate.ga.gov.
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Governor Announces GEFA Approval of Water and Sewer Projects Totaling $46 Million for Seven Georgia Communities

Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) has approved of funding for seven environmental infrastructure projects totaling $46 million. The GEFA board of directors approved the commitments to help finance water and sewer system improvements for Augusta-Richmond County, the cities of Blairsville, Crawfordville, Lookout Mountain, Meigs and Port Wentworth, and the Henry County Water and Sewerage Authority.

“Investment in our state’s water and sewer infrastructure stimulates the economy, promotes the stewardship of our natural resources, and helps to meet Georgia’s future water needs,” said Governor Perdue. “The projects approved today will improve water system efficiency and will ensure clean and safe water.”

“The water and sewer programs administered by GEFA assist local governments with improving their environmental infrastructure,” said GEFA Executive Director Phil Foil. “Financing water and sewer projects encourages economic growth and the stewardship of our environment.”

Foil expressed appreciation to Governor Perdue and to the members of the General Assembly for their support. He credited Governor Perdue’s commitment to helping Georgia cities and counties finance infrastructure development as one of the main contributors to GEFA’s success.

“GEFA financing for water and sewer infrastructure helps communities in all areas of the state,” said Gerald Thompson, chairman of the GEFA board of directors and mayor of the city of Fitzgerald. “The projects that we agreed to finance today demonstrate that GEFA is investing in communities that are willing to invest in themselves.”

GEFA helps communities prepare for economic growth and development through the provision of low interest loans. The Georgia Fund is a state funded program administered by GEFA for water, wastewater and solid waste infrastructure projects. The Georgia Fund provides loans to local governments for projects such as water and sewer lines, treatment plants, pumping stations, wells, water storage tanks and water meters. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) is a federal loan program administered by GEFA for wastewater infrastructure and water pollution abatement projects. Eligible projects include a wide variety of storm water and wastewater collection and treatment projects. The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) is a federal loan program administered by GEFA for water infrastructure projects. Eligible projects include public health-related water supply construction.

Below are details of the loans approved today:

Augusta-Richmond County

Augusta-Richmond County was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $23,530,950 for the Butler Creek Interceptor East project. The project will extend sanitary sewer pipe from the J. B. Messerly Water Pollution Control Plant to the trunk main along Butler Creek. Augusta-Richmond County will pay three percent interest on the 20-year loan. The total project cost is $23,530,950 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Blairsville

The city of Blairsville was approved for a Georgia Fund loan of $195,500 to extend its water system along Old Blue Ridge Highway. The total project cost is $572,500 with the balance being provided by a $300,000 OneGeorgia grant and $77,000 in local funds. The city will pay 3.81 percent interest on the five-year loan.

City of Crawfordville

The city of Crawfordville was approved for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan of $115,000 to finance repairs to the city’s water tank. The total project cost is $115,000 with the DWSRF providing the entire amount. The city will pay three percent interest on the 20-year loan.

City of Lookout Mountain

The city of Lookout Mountain was approved for a $100,000 sewer grant to help replace the failing Flintstone Subdivision sewage collection system with a septic tank effluent pump (STEP) system. The total project cost is $550,000, with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs providing $200,000 through an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant and $50,000 through an Immediate Threat and Danger program grant. Dade County Water and Sewer Fund is providing $50,000 and Covenant College is providing $150,000.

City of Meigs

The city of Meigs was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $437,881 to improve its wastewater treatment facility and the sanitary sewer collection. This project includes the restoration of sand filters and outlet control structure gates and inspection of the collection system for inflow and infiltration. The total project cost is $437,881 with the Clean Water State Revolving Fund providing the entire amount. The city will pay three percent interest on the 20-year loan.

City of Port Wentworth

The city of Port Wentworth was approved for a grant of $100,000 for the installation of a reuse water line. EMD Chemicals will use 150,000 gallons per day of the city’s highly treated recycled wastewater in place of water from the Floridan aquifer, a practice that will help prevent the advance of saltwater intrusion into wells along the Georgia coast. The total project cost is $360,000 with GEFA providing $100,000, EMD Chemicals providing $250,000 and Port Wentworth providing $10,000.

Henry County Water and Sewerage Authority

The Henry County Water and Sewerage Authority (WSA) was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $21,342,866 for Phase II funding for the expansion of the Walnut Creek Water Reclamation Facility (WRF). The loan will also fund additional construction to the WRF such as an additional storage pond and a land application wastewater treatment system. The total project cost is $43,844,498 with the CWSRF providing $21,342,866 in Phase II, $20,000,000 in Phase I (approved April 21, 2008) and $2,501,632 in potential future funding. Henry County WSA will pay three percent interest on the 20-year loan.

Cities and counties interested in more information regarding GEFA loans should visit www.gefa.org or call (404) 584-1000.

About the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (www.gefa.org)

The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) provides financial assistance and administers programs that encourage stewardship of the environment and promote economic development statewide. GEFA is the lead state agency for energy planning and alternative fuels; manages the Governor’s Energy Challenge and the Georgia Land Conservation Program; maintains state-owned fuel storage tanks; and offers financing for reservoir and water supply, water quality, storm water and solid waste infrastructure.
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