Water Efficiency Incorporated in Federal Legislation?

With water as a valuable resource, doesn't it make sense to for us to try and use it wisely?

Senator Ron Wyden (OR) has proposed an amendment to Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010. This Watersense Amendment would add product water efficiency retrofits on a short term basis.

Take some time and learn more about the amendment at the Alliance for Water Efficiency.  Let your senators know your views on conserving water.

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Georgia's April weather warmer than normal

The combination of a cool March with a warm early April compressed Georgia’s pollen season, leading to higher-than-normal pollen counts across the state in April.

For the most part, temperatures across the state were warmer than normal.

Mostly warmer temps

In Atlanta, the monthly average temperature was 65.2 degrees F (3.6 degrees above normal), in Athens 63.9 degrees (33 degrees above normal), Columbus 65.6 degrees (1.4 degrees above normal), Macon 65 degrees (2.3 degrees above normal), Savannah 67 degrees (1.7 degrees above normal), Brunswick 66.8 degrees (.3 degree above normal), Alma 65.9 degrees (.8 degree below normal), Valdosta 68.6 degrees (3.4 degrees above normal) and Augusta 64.3 degrees (1.9 degrees above normal).

Athens set a record high temperature April 5, when the maximum temperature of 88 degrees broke the old record of 87 degrees set in 1988. Augusta set a record high of 91 degrees on April 6, breaking the old record of 90 degrees set in 1967.

Mostly below-normal rainfall

Most of the state received below-normal rainfall, except for a swath of rain in south-central Georgia and a wider band across the northern counties.

The highest monthly total from National Weather Service reporting stations was 2.63 inches in Valdosta (.94 inch below normal). The lowest was in Brunswick at .89 inch (1.91 inches below normal). Atlanta received 2.56 inches (1.06 inches below normal), Macon 1.36 inches (1.78 inches below normal), Athens 1.86 inches (1.49 inches below normal), Augusta 1.20 inches (1.74 inches below normal), Columbus 1.61 inches (2.23 inches below normal), Savannah 1.40 inches (1.92 inches below normal) and Alma 2.74 inches (.42 inch below normal).

Record daily rainfalls were set at Columbus with a daily rainfall of 1.04 inches April 25 and Alma with a daily rainfall of 1.36 inches April 20.

Rabun Gap records most rainfall

The highest single-day rainfall from Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network stations was 5.13 inches in Rabun Gap in far northeast Georgia April 25. This station also had the highest monthly total of 6.70 inches. Stations near McKaysville and Dillard received 6.58 inches and 6.21 inches, respectively, during the month.

Two tornadoes were reported. A small tornado hit 2 miles north of Bostwick in Morgan County April 8, knocking down trees and the roof of a chicken house. Another small tornado hit 3 miles north of Cloudland in Chattooga County near the Alabama border April 24, causing tree damage. Severe weather, including high winds, hail of over 1 inch or tornadoes, was observed on five days in April.
The drier conditions improved soil moisture levels through the month, although in some areas the dry conditions impeded planting and germination. Some irrigation of new corn was needed to counteract the dry conditions. Generally, the warm temperatures were favorable for planting, and crops were planted at a rapid pace across the state.



Pam Knox
University of Georgia

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Water Contingency Task Force Presents Final Recommendations

A statewide task force of business leaders, elected officials, community representatives and conservation organizations presented their final recommendations to Governor Sonny Perdue December 22 for creating a contingency plan to address Georgia’s water issues if a federal judge’s ruling from this summer remains in effect in 2012.

“The task force has done a tremendous job of analyzing all possible options and providing fact-based feedback that will drive the decisions we make moving forward,” said Governor Perdue. “I am very appreciative of the commitment shown by the co-chairs, the time invested by task force members and the professional analysis provided pro bono by The Boston Consulting Group and the rest of the technical team. Their dedication will help us as we move forward to find solutions for Georgia.”

More than 80 business, environmental and government officials have been studying a long list of options since October, after Judge Paul Magnuson ruled that metro Atlanta’s use of Lake Lanier for drinking water would be reduced in 2012.

“We believe in a three part strategy - conserve, capture and control,” said John Brock, chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola Enterprises and co-chair of the Water Contingency Task Force. “There’s no single magic solution. We must conserve more water, capture the water we do receive, and control our water supplies through progressive water policies.”

On a separate track, Governor Perdue is pursuing a legal appeal, congressional action and negotiations with Florida and Alabama. But the job of the Water Contingency Task Force was to consider options if the judge’s ruling stands.

The final report reaffirms the gap cannot be closed between the water we have and the water we need by 2012 under the reduced withdrawals called for in the judge’s ruling. As Governor Perdue has said repeatedly, using Lake Lanier for water supply is our most cost-effective and environmentally friendly option. The thorough analysis of the different options, likely worth more than $2 million, was provided at no cost by The Boston Consulting Group and a team of expert engineering and consulting firms.

The task force found that if given additional time past the 2012 deadline, more options become available. These additional contingency options can be implemented by 2015 and 2020. Emergency solutions are extremely costly, but having a few more years gives more and better choices should the judge’s ruling stand.

The task force found metro Atlanta alone would take a $26 billion annual hit to its economy if no action is taken to address the judge’s ruling, causing a devastating ripple effect throughout Georgia and the Southeast.

“Our work is not over,” said Tim Lowe of Lowe Engineers and co-chair of the Water Contingency Task Force. “In fact, now an even more critical chapter begins. As the Georgia General Assembly convenes in January, we will continue to work with the Governor and elected officials as our recommendations are considered.”

More information and the full report from the Water Contingency Planning Task Force can be found on Governor Perdue’s website at http://gov.georgia.gov/00/channel_modifieddate/0,2096,78006749_154453222,00.html.

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Millions of Taxpayer Dollars Flow to Bottled Water

/PRNewswire/ -- States in the Northeast have spent between $228,874 and $527,107 a year for bottled water, according to a new report Getting States Off the Bottle released today by Corporate Accountability International. The states surveyed include four Northeastern states: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and Pennsylvania -- all known for their high quality tap water.

The findings come as public water systems face a $24 billion annual shortfall, and during financial times where states can ill afford to be spending public dollars on such a non-essential use of an essential public resource.

"Not only is the spending patently wasteful at a time when states can not afford unnecessary expenses, but it broadcasts the absolute wrong message about our high quality tap water," said Connecticut State Representative Richard Roy, Chair of the House Environmental Committee.

Roy is one of hundreds of public officials nationwide that are now calling for taxpayer dollars to cease flowing to bottled water. In 2008, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, representing more than 1,200 mayors, passed a resolution encouraging mayors to phase out city spending on bottled water. To date, more than 100 cities have taken action to cut spending on bottled water or support public water systems as well as three states, including Illinois, Virginia and New York.

Governors and mayors are stewards of public water systems, responsible for overseeing budgets that provide the overwhelming majority of public funding for this essential public service. But the need for greater investment in these systems is growing rapidly, while public funding for these systems languishes.

A major cause of the gap in funding has been the marketing and promotion of bottled water. Marketing campaigns, such as Nestle's Born Better, have convinced one in five people to believe the only place to get clean drinking water is from a bottle. And as public confidence in tap water has waned, so too has the political will to invest in public water.

"Swift action by governors to cut bottled water spending can be a strong first step in restoring public water systems and the public's confidence in them," said Kelle Louaillier, executive director of Corporate Accountability International.

After all, up to forty percent of bottled water sold comes from the same source as tap water. Tap water is also more highly regulated than what comes in the bottle.

Public education campaigns like Think Outside the Bottle are, however, restoring confidence in public water systems. A recent Harris Poll found that 29 percent of people switched from bottled to tap water in the last year. An overall decline in the North American bottled water market reflects this shift. Nevertheless, state action is still lagging. While each state profiled in the report has taken some steps to allocate funding towards water infrastructure -- such as dedicating funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to water systems -- even these steps are a drop in the bucket compared to what will be needed to close the gap.

"During these tough economic times our states need to be thinking, 'we should only spend scarce public dollars on projects that grow the economy at large not just the bottom line for a handful of private corporations,'" said Louaillier. "Investment in public water is, in this respect, one of the wisest investments we can make."

According to a U.S. Conference of Mayors report, every dollar invested in public water generates more than six for the economy at large in the long term.

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Gwinnett Files Notice to Appeal in Water Wars Decision

Gwinnett County has filed a notice of appeal in response to the July 17, 2009, decision of Judge Paul Magnuson in the Jacksonville, Fla., District Court on the long-running “Water Wars” cases in which Gwinnett County is a party. Summarized, the judge ruled that if no congressional resolution is reached in three years, Gwinnett County must cease taking water for drinking and fire protection purposes from Lake Lanier.

Commission Chairman Charles Bannister said, “It is imperative that we protect our citizens from this draconian ruling that would jeopardize the public health, public safety and economic well-being of every Gwinnett County resident. We cannot simply stand by and hope others solve the severe water resources problem for us, but must take positive action to protect our citizens and our economy. Gwinnett continues to support the efforts of Gov. Perdue, the State of Georgia and the other water providers in the region to solve this problem with our neighbors to the west and south. We are optimistic that the three governors can reach agreement on this water use problem and that Congress will pass legislation to solve this matter once and for all.”

Gwinnett County, which has a withdrawal permit from the State of Georgia for 150 million gallons per day (monthly average), takes an average of 80 million gallons per day from Lake Lanier during a typical year. Early next year, the County will begin putting reclaimed water back into Lake Lanier.

“We have a permit from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division to discharge 40 million gallons per day back to the lake,” said Lynn Smarr, Acting Director of Gwinnett’s Water Resources Department. “We have initiated dialog with the EPD that will allow us to use this permit to the maximum capacity, based upon flows at the Hill Plant, just as soon as the pipeline construction is complete.”
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Georgia Farms Will Need More Water in the Future

A recent University of Georgia report shows that Georgia farmers will need 20 percent more water to grow their crops in the next four decades. They'll need it to meet increased food demand and to compete globally.

“Without irrigation, in many places, there is no farming,” said Jim Hook, a professor with the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “And for many regions of the state, agriculture is still the best economic bet for growth.”

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division commissioned the report, which was produced by a team of UGA crop and weather experts. Its purpose is to provide information to the state's regional water councils meeting throughout the state this month, said Hook, who is the team's leader.

The councils will consider the report as they develop water plans for their regions, which will then be added to the overall state water plan. The state plan will also include forecasts for population and economy, energy use, land use and water and wastewater demands.

The forecast predicts the water farmers will need to irrigate pecans and major row crops like cotton, peanuts, corn and soybeans, which account for 85 percent of the current irrigation needs. Vegetables, orchards, blueberries, sod farms and nurseries were also included. It specifies whether the water will come from groundwater (underground water) or surface water (water from ponds, rivers or streams).

It includes how much water farmers will need in a dry, average or wet year. In Georgia, Mother Nature can be a bit mischievous in when and where rainfall hits.

“In Western states, it's easier to know how much water you have each year. It's either collected in reservoirs or stored as mountain icecaps,” Hook said. “That's not the case in Georgia, where recharge is less predictable.”

For example, if 2011 is a dry year from spring through fall, farmers will need 800 million gallons of water per day from underground sources and 300 million gallons per day from surface sources, according to the forecast. If 2050 is a dry year, they will need 1 billion gallons per day from underground sources and 400 million gallons per day from surface water.

“Georgia's agriculture sector will continue to be a major water user in the state,” he said.
The forecast is broken down by water planning regions, counties, river basins and sub-basins. The county data includes monthly water demands, crop projections and current irrigated fields.
Existing computer models were used to make the forecast, he said, which took 9 months to complete.

Economic models from the U.S. Department of Agriculture were used to predict farmers' crop choices over the next decade, focusing particularly on farmers in the Southeast. Crop models developed by CAES researchers were used to foretell crop water needs and climate data.
Geographical Information System, or GIS, images were used to locate the 23,000 fields in Georgia that have irrigation systems, including more than 15,000 center pivots, or large systems that rotate in a field.

Future irrigation use will happen in places where the practice is already established, particularly in southwest Georgia, the state's row-crop and vegetable production hub. The area's water needs are fueled by one of the largest water supplies in the country: the Floridan aquifer. It starts near the state's fall line and runs east into extreme southern South Carolina and south through Florida.

“The Floridan is a massive water supply,” Hook said.

The aquifer is recharged by water that falls in south Georgia, he said. Its levels are not connected to any rainfall or use in north Georgia, where water comes from surface water supplies that don't make it into the aquifer.

Irrigation use exploded in 1970s and ‘80s in Georgia, when irrigated acres jumped from 200,000 acres to 1 million acres, he said. Since then, it has been a steady increase to the 1.5 million irrigated acres today.

It is estimated that farmers have invested almost $3 billion in today's dollars in irrigation equipment and infrastructure in the state over the past four decades, he said, an investment that is responsible for much of the $3 billion to $4 billion in annual crop sales in Georgia.
To view the entire forecast, visit
www.nespal.org/sirp/waterinfo/state/awd/agwaterdemand.htm.

By Brad Haire
University of Georgia
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Updated: Build Reservoirs Now or Leave Georgians without Drinking Water in Three Years

Recently, a federal judge ruled that metro Atlanta residents have no right to tap Lake Lanier for their drinking water. Because that function was not originally authorized when the lake was built 50 years ago, 3 million people could be without a single source of water if a compromise with Florida and Alabama is not reached within three years. While I understand the need to follow the letter of the law, we must also consider what’s practical. We cannot leave 3 million citizens without drinking water.

We need a MacArthur plan for Georgia’s water future. Out of the three states embroiled in this issue, ours has the most to lose. The time for action is now. The Governor should issue an executive order setting forth clear objectives to ensure sustainable water resources for every Georgian today and in the future. This should begin immediately and include a three year water plan that puts us in a position of meeting our current and future water needs, regardless of the ruling’s ultimate outcome.

Increase water storage capacity. The simple fact is that Georgia has plenty of water, mainly from precipitation, however we obviously lack adequate water storage for current and future needs. By implementing the provisions of the Water Conservation and Drought Relief Act (SB 342), communities can apply for state funding to enlarge existing reservoirs and obtain permits to construct new ones. Then, under the current Statewide Water Plan, require all affected counties and municipalities to immediately identify their water needs and determine the best sites for new reservoirs as well as increasing freeboards and existing reservoirs. Every corner of the state is a potential place for water storage. To the north, a reservoir on public and private property, as well as Chattahoochee National Forest land, could supplement water inflow to Lanier, maintain adequate water levels and provide direct access to drinking water (as described in SR 107). There are also many appropriate sites in North Georgia that could afford large regional reservoirs. We can tap into the aquifers throughout South Georgia and use the Oconee National Forest for more storage. Finally, let’s not overlook the Georgia coast and opportunities to build desalination plants potentially co-located with power generation, as it has been successfully done in other states.

Permit new reservoirs immediately. The Drought Relief Act provides a streamlined permitting process for new reservoirs. As counties identify new and existing reservoir sites, the Environmental Protection Division should be permitting in 90 days or less. Certainly the Corps of Engineers will require a federal 404 permit and a state-issued 401 permit. We can start the 404 permitting process right away, but shouldn’t wait to begin construction. If Congress can do one thing of vital importance for us, they can simply waive the 404 permitting requirement prior to construction for reservoirs where we are simply raising the dam and increasing the freeboard. There are hundreds of soil conservation reservoirs in North Georgia whose dams can be easily raised. The implementation of these reservoirs is crucial to ensure Georgians have enough drinking water.

Provide funding to increase water storage. The state should immediately move toward funding reservoir development. Starting with next year’s budget, the state should dedicate a huge portion, maybe even a majority, of the bond package for the next three years to fund reservoir construction and water distribution projects. We must get design, permitting and construction underway immediately. With the number of unemployed civil engineers, planners, and construction workers, we can work around the clock to see this effort through and ultimately secure their economic future and that of the state.

Raise the lake level. We must also remember that while it is a strained resource, Lake Lanier is not entirely tapped out. While petitioning Congress for access to our only existing water source, we should also petition to raise the lake level two feet and claim that water as Georgia’s. This would be an additional 85,000 acre feet of water storage solely for our state’s consumption.

Georgia has few alternatives over the next three years. The Governor and his team, headed by Mike Garrett, will pursue all options; including negotiating with our neighbors, potentially appealing the judge’s decision and looking for new water sources. The fact remains that the water in the Chattahoochee River and basin falls on Georgia land, and by definition, that water is ours. We should store the necessary amounts of that water for the livelihood and prosperity of our state and its citizens. The time for talk and study is over. The time for action is now. The question is, do we have the resolve?

By Sen. Chip Pearson

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Sen. Chip Pearson: Build Reservoirs Now or Leave Georgians without Drinking Water in Three Years

Recently, a federal judge ruled that metro Atlanta residents have no right to tap Lake Lanier for their drinking water. Because that function was not originally authorized when the lake was built 50 years ago, 3 million people could be without a single source of water if a compromise with Florida and Alabama is not reached within three years. While I understand the need to follow the letter of the law, we must also consider what’s practical. We cannot leave 3 million citizens without drinking water.

We need a MacArthur plan for Georgia’s water future. Out of the three states embroiled in this issue, ours has the most to lose. The time for action is now. The Governor should issue an executive order setting forth clear objectives to ensure sustainable water resources for every Georgian today and in the future. This should begin immediately and include a three year water plan that puts us in a position of meeting our current and future water needs, regardless of the ruling’s ultimate outcome.

Increase water storage capacity. The simple fact is that Georgia has plenty of water, mainly from precipitation, however we obviously lack adequate water storage for current and future needs. By implementing the provisions of the Water Conservation and Drought Relief Act (SB 342), communities can apply for state funding to enlarge existing reservoirs and obtain permits to construct new ones. Then, under the current Statewide Water Plan, require all affected counties and municipalities to immediately identify their water needs and determine the best sites for new reservoirs as well as increasing freeboards and existing reservoirs. Every corner of the state is a potential place for water storage. To the north, a reservoir on public and private property, as well as Chattahoochee National Forest land, could supplement water inflow to Lanier, maintain adequate water levels and provide direct access to drinking water (as described in SR 107). There are also many appropriate sites in North Georgia that could afford large regional reservoirs. We can tap into the aquifers throughout South Georgia and use the Oconee National Forest for more storage. Finally, let’s not overlook the Georgia coast and opportunities to build desalination plants potentially co-located with power generation, as it has been successfully done in other states.

Permit new reservoirs immediately. The Drought Relief Act provides a streamlined permitting process for new reservoirs. As counties identify new and existing reservoir sites, the Environmental Protection Division should be permitting in 90 days or less. Certainly the Corps of Engineers will require a federal 404 permit and a state-issued 401 permit. We can start the 404 permitting process right away, but shouldn’t wait to begin construction. If Congress can do one thing of vital importance for us, they can simply waive the 404 permitting requirement prior to construction for reservoirs where we are simply raising the dam and increasing the freeboard. There are hundreds of soil conservation reservoirs in North Georgia whose dams can be easily raised. The implementation of these reservoirs is crucial to ensure Georgians have enough drinking water.

Provide funding to increase water storage. The state should immediately move toward funding reservoir development. Starting with next year’s budget, the state should dedicate a huge portion, maybe even a majority, of the bond package for the next three years to fund reservoir construction and water distribution projects. We must get design, permitting and construction underway immediately. With the number of unemployed civil engineers, planners, and construction workers, we can work around the clock to see this effort through and ultimately secure their economic future and that of the state.

Raise the lake level. We must also remember that while it is a strained resource, Lake Lanier is not entirely tapped out. While petitioning Congress for access to our only existing water source, we should also petition to raise the lake level two feet and claim that water as Georgia’s. This would be an additional 85,000 feet of water storage solely for our state’s consumption.

Georgia has few alternatives over the next three years. The Governor and his team, headed by Mike Garrett, will pursue all options; including negotiating with our neighbors, potentially appealing the judge’s decision and looking for new water sources. The fact remains that the water in the Chattahoochee River and basin falls on Georgia land, and by definition, that water is ours. We should store the necessary amounts of that water for the livelihood and prosperity of our state and its citizens. The time for talk and study is over. The time for action is now. The question is, do we have the resolve?
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North Georgians Continue to Conserve, Even Without Restrictions

June 2009 use up only 1.8 percent from last year, 18 percent lower than June 2007

Georgians have continued to conserve water, even with relaxed outdoor water use restrictions in place, according to June 2009 water use data compiled by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD).

“These numbers indicate that Georgians have made water conservation part of their daily lives,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Conservation is obviously critical during drought, but I am particularly encouraged to see our efforts continue now that the rains have returned and the drought is over.”

According to water use data collected from water utilities and local governments throughout the 55-county north Georgia area, water use in June rose an average of just 1.8 percent as compared to June 2008. Most types of outdoor water use had been prohibited in those 55 counties since September of 2007. Non-drought schedules took effect June 10, which allow people to water any time of the day up to three days a week determined by odd and even-numbered addresses.

Even more impressive are the comparisons to June 2007 before the drought worsened and outdoor water use was allowed midnight to 10 a.m. three days a week. June 2009 water use was down 18.4 percent as compared to the 2007 data, even though the current schedules are for times of non-drought.

For example, some of the largest metropolitan Atlanta water systems showed significant water savings during June, including the city of Atlanta and Gwinnett, Clayton and Cobb counties. Other large metro water users saw only modest increases in water use, including North Fulton, Cherokee and Fayette counties, and the city of Marietta. EPD is working closely with communities to continue to improve water conservation practices.

Monthly water use data is posted on the EPD web site at www.georgiaepd.com. To learn more about water conservation go to www.conservewatergeorgia.net.
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GEFA Approves Water, Sewer Infrastructure Projects for Communities Around Georgia

Twenty-six projects total $43.1 million

Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the approval of 26 environmental infrastructure project loans totaling $43.1 million. Twenty-three of the projects were either fully or partially financed by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) at a total of $39 million. The GEFA board of directors approved the commitments to help finance water and sewer infrastructure projects in 24 communities.

“Investment in infrastructure creates jobs, promotes economic development and increases our citizens’ quality of life,” said Governor Perdue. “Improving public health and safety is critical to a community’s economic growth and prosperity.”

“The federal 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, Georgia’s Congressional delegation and 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.

“The projects that we agreed to finance today illustrate how GEFA helps communities of all sizes, in all areas of the state,” said Matt Beasley, chairman of the GEFA board of directors and mayor of the city of Hartwell. “From the smallest of communities to the largest, 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 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.

In February, Congress approved and the President signed the ARRA, which included a substantial investment in the CWSRF and the DWSRF programs. The ARRA also directs the states to reserve 20 percent of the ARRA funding for “…projects to address green infrastructure, water or energy efficiency improvements or other environmentally innovative activities.”

Under the ARRA financing terms adopted by the GEFA board of directors, cities or counties that are OneGeorgia-eligible qualify for a 70 percent subsidy. Cities or counties that are not OneGeorgia-eligible qualify for a 40 percent subsidy. Cities or counties with eligible green projects qualify for a 60 percent subsidy. For example, if a OneGeorgia-eligible community applies for a $1 million loan, then 70 percent of the loan will be forgiven and the community will close on a 20-year loan of $300,000 at a three percent interest rate. OneGeorgia-eligible communities are located outside the state’s metropolitan areas and have a population of 50,000 or less with a poverty rate of ten percent or greater. The unprecedented amounts of subsidy in the ARRA financing terms will help Georgia meet the ARRA’s short-term goals of job creation and economic stimulus.

Georgia local governments expressed a tremendous amount of interest in the ARRA funds. Cities and counties submitted more than 1,600 clean water, drinking water and green projects with a total cost exceeding $6 billion. Total available funding for projects through the ARRA is $144 million. Funding is obligated to projects on a first-come-first-served basis.
Below are details of the loans approved today:

City of Blairsville

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Blairsville was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $322,800 and a CWSRF subsidy of $753,200 for the rehabilitation of a portion of the city’s sewer system. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($753,200) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a ten-year loan of $322,800. The total project cost is $1,076,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Braselton

The city of Braselton was approved for two Georgia Fund loans totaling $1,240,000. The loans will finance upgrading and replacing two wastewater pump stations. The total cost of both projects is $1,540,000, with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) committing $300,000 through an Appalachian Regional Commission grant. The city, a WaterFirst community, will pay a 2.81 percent interest rate on the loans, one percent lower than the current Georgia Fund rate. WaterFirst communities are certified by DCA as having met and maintained stringent standards for system management and water conservation. WaterFirst participants are entitled to a lower interest rate on certain GEFA loans.

City of Byron

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Byron was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $816,246 and a CWSRF subsidy of $1,904,574 for the rehabilitation of the city’s wastewater collection system. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($1,904,574) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $816,246. The total project cost is $2,720,820 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Clarkesville

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Clarkesville was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $528,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $1,232,000 for the installation of improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment facility. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($1,232,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $528,000. The total project cost is $1,803,200 with GEFA providing $1,760,000 and the city of Clarkesville providing $43,200.

City of Colquitt

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Colquitt was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $420,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $980,000 for the rehabilitation of the city’s wastewater collection system. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($980,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $420,000. The total project cost is $1,400,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Commerce

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Commerce was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $330,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $770,000 for improvements to two water pollution control plants. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($770,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $330,000. The total project cost is $1,100,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Darien

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Darien was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $280,890 and a CWSRF subsidy of $655,410 for the rehabilitation and replacement of equipment at the city’s water pollution control plant. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($655,410) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $280,890. The total project cost is $936,300 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Demorest

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Demorest was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $153,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $357,000 for the construction of a sludge dewatering building at the city’s water pollution control plant. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($357,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a ten-year loan of $153,000. The total project cost is $510,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Donalsonville

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Donalsonville was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $150,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $350,000 for the expansion of the city’s wastewater treatment facility. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($350,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 15-year loan of $150,000. The total project cost is $510,000 with GEFA providing $500,000 and the city of Donalsonville providing $10,000.

Gwinnett County

Financed through the ARRA as a green project, Gwinnett County was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $2,000,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $3,000,000 for the installation of a power generator that will be fueled by gas drawn from anaerobic digesters. The electricity will be used to help power the wastewater treatment facility. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for green projects, 60 percent ($3,000,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the county will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $2,000,000. The total project cost is $5,500,000 with GEFA providing $5,000,000 and Gwinnett County providing $500,000.

City of Helen

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Helen was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $386,400 and a CWSRF subsidy of $901,600 for the rehabilitation of the city’s wastewater collection system. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($901,600) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $386,400. The total project cost is $1,288,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Hinesville

The city of Hinesville was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $2,583,965. The loan will finance watershed improvements at three sites for stormwater control. The city will pay a 3 percent interest rate on the 20-year loan. The total project cost is $2,583,965 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Jefferson

Financed through the ARRA as a green project, the city of Jefferson was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $218,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $327,000 for the replacement of an impervious-surfaced parking lot with grass filter strips. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for green projects, 60 percent ($327,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $218,000. The total project cost is $545,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of LaGrange

Financed through the ARRA, the city of LaGrange was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $4,350,000, which includes $3,572,666 financed through the ARRA. The ARRA portion of the loan includes a CWSRF subsidy of $1,429,066. The loan and subsidy will help finance improvements to the city’s Long Cane Creek water pollution control plant. GEFA’s commitment includes $3,572,666 financed through the ARRA and $777,334 financed by a regular CWSRF loan. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are not OneGeorgia-eligible, 40 percent ($1,429,066) of the principal on the ARRA portion of the loan will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $2,143,600. The non-ARRA CWSRF loan of $777,334 that finances the remainder of the project is also a 20-year loan with a three percent interest rate. The total project cost is $4,350,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Maysville

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Maysville was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $225,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $525,000 for the rehabilitation of the city’s wastewater collection system. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($525,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $225,000. The total project cost is $750,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Milledgeville

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Milledgeville was approved for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan of $362,085 and a DWSRF subsidy of $844,865 for the replacement of failing water lines in the residential neighborhoods of Allenwood and Brookwood. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for OneGeorgia-eligible communities, 70 percent ($844,865) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 15-year loan of $362,085. The total project cost is $1,206,950 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Moultrie

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Moultrie was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $1,015,350 and a CWSRF subsidy of $2,369,150 for the installation of improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment facility. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($2,369,150) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $1,015,350. The total project cost is $3,384,500 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

Financed through the ARRA as a green project, the city of Moultrie was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) $1,400,000 loan and a CWSRF subsidy of $2,100,000 for the installation of a biogas recovery system that will provide process heat for the city’s wastewater treatment plant digester. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for green projects, 60 percent ($2,100,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $1,400,000. The total project cost is $3,500,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Sardis

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Sardis was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $330,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $770,000 for improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment plant. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($770,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $330,000. The total project cost is $1,100,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Sparks

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Sparks was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $84,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $196,000 for the replacement of a wastewater pump station. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($196,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a one-year loan of $84,000. The total project cost is $300,000 with GEFA providing $280,000 and the city of Sparks providing $20,000.

City of Tennille

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Tennille was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $90,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $210,000 for the replacement of a wastewater pump station. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($210,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a five-year loan of $90,000. The total project cost is $300,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Thomaston

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Thomaston was approved for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan of $1,020,000 and a DWSRF subsidy of $2,380,000 for the replacement of water mains within the city’s Westside service area. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for OneGeorgia-eligible communities, 70 percent ($2,380,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $1,020,000. The total project cost is $3,400,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Toccoa

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Toccoa was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $300,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $700,000 for improvements to the Eastanollee Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($700,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a five-year loan of $300,000. The total project cost is $1,000,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Union Point

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Union Point was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $360,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $840,000 for the rehabilitation of the city’s wastewater collection system. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($840,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $360,000. The total project cost is $1,200,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Warrenton

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Warrenton was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $600,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $1,400,000 for improvements to the city’s wastewater collection system. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($1,400,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 15-year loan of $600,000. The total project cost is $2,000,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

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

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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Atlantans Urged To Continue To Respect Limited Water Resources

Mayor Shirley Franklin has urged Atlantans not to take advantage of the fact that the statewide drought declaration has been lifted, noting, “Our water resources are not unlimited. The City of Atlanta is doing its part with the $4 billion Clean Water Atlanta water and sewer infrastructure overhaul, and we hope that Atlantans continue to do their part by conserving water wherever possible.”

Atlantans rose to the challenge over the last two years during the recent drought, cutting their usage by 17 percent over pre-drought usage. In addition, Atlantans’ outdoor water use is very low compared with that of our neighbors, with a 23 percent to 26 percent increase during the summer months; many of the metro area counties see an increase between 50 percent and 100 percent over the summer.

Programs put in place to encourage water conservation in the commercial/industrial community have yielded impressive results, as well. Atlanta’s Top 50 users, which range from hotels to soft drink plants to tourist destinations like the Georgia Aquarium have cut their use dramatically. All 50 have shown usage decreases, some by as much as 45 percent.

Hotels and the hospitality industry have shown great leadership in water conservation; other facilities like the Aquarium and Delta Air Lines have been extremely creative in their use of water efficiency technologies; and other facilities, like Zoo Atlanta and Atlanta’s City Hall, have instituted educational campaigns and gone to great lengths to change customer behavior.

The City itself has implemented numerous programs designed to encourage conservation, including distribution of water conservation kits, flush valves and “instant-off” devices for faucets; free water audits; rain barrel construction programs; educational workshops for residents, landscapers and large users; toilet rebates; new toilet installations for low-income, elderly customers; establishment of the Save Water Atlanta Team to enforce watering restrictions; and implementation of three-tiered conservation rates that reward low use.

Additionally, at Mayor Franklin’s direction, the City has created a Sustainable Building Ordinance that significantly tightens water efficiency standards for new buildings, The ordinance is currently pending before the City Council.

Programs completed or currently under way as part of Clean Water Atlanta also are contributing to decreased usage by eliminating leaks that waste millions of gallons of water. The City is spending hundreds of millions of dollars to inspect every inch of its 1,600 miles of sewer pipe, repairing or replacing pipe when it is deemed necessary. To date, Atlanta has evaluated almost 1,300 miles of pipe and completed rehabilitation of 314 miles of the 600 miles it is estimated will need to be rehabbed.



Atlanta also purchased the Bellwood gravel quarry, which will eventually be a 1.2-billion-gallon reservoir. Design on the project, which will be part of what will become the City’s largest park, is ongoing.

The City also has replaced about 100 miles of water mains, some of which were originally installed in the early 1900s, and it is repairing more than 750 reported leaks every month (for comparison purposes, the contractor that ran the drinking water system prior to 2003 repaired about 750 leaks a year!)

In fact, Clean Water Atlanta is the largest water/sewer infrastructure overhaul currently under way in the United States.

It is not only dramatically reducing leaks, it also is resulting in a cleaner, healthier Chattahoochee River. Sally Bethea, executive director of the river’s watchdog, the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, says that the work the City is doing is having a demonstrable effect on the river’s health. Improvements to the City’s combined and sanitary sewer systems, including construction of two eight-mile-long tunnels and separation of three combined sewer basins, are ensuring that the wastewater returned to the river meets and exceeds all federal Clean Water standards. (Of the water taken from the Chattahoochee for drinking and other purposes, the City returns about 85 percent in the form of highly treated wastewater.)

Despite all this, however, Mayor Franklin urges Atlantans to continue their conservation efforts. “Take shorter showers,” she advises. “Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth, limit your outdoor water use, if you have leaks at your house, repair them. Running toilets can waste thousands of gallons of water a day! The State has lifted its drought declaration, but those of us who have been around a while know that another drought could be – and, in fact, very likely is – lurking around the corner. We need to conserve to make sure that our children and their children have access to clean, safe drinking water and can enjoy the same quality of life that we have.”
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Graves’ Statement Regarding Tri-State Water Dispute

Republican State Representative Tom Graves (R-Ranger), candidate for the 9th Congressional District of Georgia, released the following statement after last Friday’s ruling by U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson that shifts Lake Lanier’s water allocation to Congress concerning the tri-state water dispute:

“I am troubled by the federal judge’s decision regarding Lake Lanier’s water. His ruling Friday could be one of the largest takings of state’s rights that this country has seen in modern history. Giving the federal government this enormous power to decide a dispute that should be delegated among the states is unconscionable. I urge our Governor to take the necessary steps to a speedy resolution of this matter. As the next Congressman for North Georgia, I will vehemently oppose attempts by those in Washington to try and take our most precious resource whose genesis is in the mountains of North Georgia and will unite with other Georgia leaders to fight for a fair and equitable solution that's right for Georgia.”
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Isakson, Chambliss Joint Statement on Court Ruling on Tri-State Water Usage

U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., today issued the following joint statement regarding the ruling by U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson that gives the U.S. Congress the responsibility to determine how much water from Lake Lanier may be used to supply the metro Atlanta area.

“The judge’s ruling places the decision of allocation of water from Lake Lanier solely on the shoulders of Congress. As members of the U.S. Senate from Georgia, we will work tirelessly to reach an agreement that is in the best interest of Georgia while at the same time respecting the interests and concerns of Florida and Alabama. This is a huge challenge, but it is a challenge we must meet.”
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Governor Announces Approval of Water, Sewer Infrastructure Projects

Total of $91.5 million approved to help cities, counties meet critical needs

Governor Sonny Perdue today announced the approval of eleven state and federally funded environmental infrastructure projects totaling $91.5 million. Five of the projects were either fully or partially financed by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) at a total of $40.5 million.

The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) board of directors approved the commitments to help finance water and sewer infrastructure projects in Cobb County, Colquitt County and Gwinnett County, and the cities of Camilla, Hiawassee, Port Wentworth, Portal, Sparta, Stillmore, Valdosta and West Point.

“Investment in infrastructure creates jobs, promotes economic development and increases our citizens’ quality of life,” said Governor Perdue. “Improving public health and safety is critical to a community’s economic growth and prosperity.”

“The state and federal 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.”

“The projects that we agreed to finance today illustrate how GEFA helps communities of all sizes, in all areas of the state,” said Matt Beasley, chairman of the GEFA board of directors and mayor of the city of Hartwell. “From the smallest of communities to the largest, 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 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. The Georgia Fund is a state funded program administered by GEFA for water, wastewater and solid waste infrastructure projects. The Georgia Fund provides loans and grants to local governments for projects such as water and sewer lines, treatment plants, pumping stations, wells, water storage tanks and water meters. Low interest loans from this program are available up to $10 million.

In February the Congress approved and the President signed the ARRA, which included a substantial investment in the CWSRF and the DWSRF programs. The ARRA also directs the states to reserve 20 percent of the ARRA funding for “…projects to address green infrastructure, water or energy efficiency improvements or other environmentally innovative activities.”

Under the ARRA financing terms adopted by the GEFA board of directors, cities or counties that are OneGeorgia-eligible qualify for a 70 percent subsidy. Cities or counties that are not OneGeorgia-eligible qualify for a 40 percent subsidy. Green projects receive a 60 percent subsidy. For example, if a OneGeorgia-eligible community applies for a $1 million loan, then 70 percent of the loan will be forgiven and the community will close on a 20-year loan of $300,000 at a three percent interest rate. OneGeorgia-eligible communities are located outside the state’s metropolitan areas and have a population of 50,000 or less with a poverty rate of 10 percent or greater. The unprecedented amounts of subsidy in the ARRA financing terms will help Georgia meet the ARRA’s short-term goals of job creation and economic stimulus.

Georgia local governments expressed a tremendous amount of interest in the ARRA funds. Cities and counties submitted more than 1,600 clean water, drinking water and green projects with a total cost that exceeded $6 billion. Total available funding for projects through the ARRA is $144 million. Funding is obligated to projects on a first-come-first-served basis.
Details of the loans approved today are below:

City of Camilla

The city of Camilla was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $10,000,000 for renovations and upgrades to a wastewater treatment facility. The city will pay a three percent interest rate on the 20-year loan. The total project cost is $10,000,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

Cobb County

Financed partially through the ARRA, Cobb County was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $35,000,000, which includes $10 million financed through the ARRA. The loan package will finance the third phase of construction of a 30,000 foot sewer tunnel, connecting tunnels, and a 130 million gallons-per-day lift station at the South Cobb Water Reclamation Facility. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are not OneGeorgia-eligible, 40 percent ($4,000,000) of the principal on the ARRA portion of the loan will be forgiven and the county will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $6,000,000. The non-ARRA CWSRF loan of $25,000,000 is a 20-year loan with a three percent interest rate. The total project cost is $35,000,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Colquitt

The city of Colquitt was approved for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan of $641,068 and a DWSRF subsidy of $150,000 for the construction of a new well and water main. The city will pay zero percent interest on the 20-year loan. The total project cost is $791,068, with GEFA providing the entire amount.

Gwinnett County

Financed through the ARRA, Gwinnett County was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $6,000,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $4,000,000 for the third phase of construction of a sewer tunnel to store and convey wastewater to the site of the future No Business Creek Regional Pump Station. The total project cost is $55,000,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount. GEFA approved a phase one loan of $22,000,000 on September 29, 2005, and a phase two loan of $23,000,000 on June 17, 2008. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are not OneGeorgia-eligible, 40 percent ($4,000,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the county will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $6,000,000.

City of Hiawassee

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Hiawassee was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $160,500 and a CWSRF subsidy of $374,500 for the rehabilitation of existing sewer infrastructure. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia eligible, 70 percent ($374,500) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $160,500. The total project cost is $535,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Port Wentworth

Financed partially through the ARRA, the city of Port Wentworth was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $6,000,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $4,000,000 for the construction of a two million gallon-per-day wastewater treatment system. The total project cost is $17,592,300 with GEFA providing $10,000,000 and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development providing $7,592,300. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are not OneGeorgia-eligible, 40 percent ($4,000,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $6,000,000.

City of Portal

The city of Portal was approved for a Georgia Fund loan of $350,000 for improvements to the city’s sanitary sewer system. The city will pay a 3.81 percent interest rate on the 20-year loan. The total project cost is $2,078,000, with $500,000 provided by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, $100,000 provided by GEFA through a Georgia Fund Sewer Grant and $1,128,000 provided from local option sales tax funds set aside for this purpose.

City of Sparta

The city of Sparta was approved for a Georgia Fund sewer grant of $100,000. The grant will fund improvements to the city’s sanitary sewer system including manhole and sewer line replacement. The Georgia Fund Sewer Grant program provides funds to small sewer projects that extend service to areas already served by the community’s water system. The total project cost is $100,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Stillmore

The city of Stillmore was approved for a Georgia Fund loan of $236,000 for renovations and upgrades to the city’s sanitary sewer system. The city will pay a two percent interest rate on the 20-year loan. The total project cost is $736,000, with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs committing $500,000 through a Community Development Block Grant.

City of Valdosta

Financed partially through the ARRA, the city of Valdosta was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $22,500,000 to increase the capacity of the Mud Creek Water Pollution Control Plant from 3.2 million gallons per day (MGD) to 5.7 MGD. The loan committment includes $10 million financed through the ARRA and $12,500,000 financed by a regular CWSRF loan. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are not OneGeorgia-eligible, 40 percent ($4,000,000) of the principal on the ARRA portion of the loan will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $6,000,000. The non-ARRA CWSRF loan of $12,500,000 is a 20-year loan with a three percent interest rate. The total project cost is $45,000,000 with GEFA providing $22,500,000 for phase one of the project.

City of West Point

The city of West Point was approved for a Georgia Fund short-term loan of $2,000,000 to interim-finance improvements to the city’s water and sanitary sewer systems until reimbursement for the work is received from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). The city will pay a 3.81 percent interest rate on the loan, which will be paid off by proceeds from a $2,000,000 EDA grant. The total project cost is $11,549,445 with a OneGeorgia Grant providing $1,000,000, a Department of Community Affairs grant providing $500,000 and a previous Georgia Fund loan providing $8,049,445.

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

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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Gwinnett Restores Collins Hill Stream

A severely eroded stream adjacent to Collins Hill High School has been restored to protect water quality in the Upper Yellow River Watershed, improve aquatic habitat and keep erosion from washing out a nearby trail. The project location is also near Collins Hill Aquatic Center and Collins Hill Park

In a joint project, Gwinnett County’s Water Resources Department worked with Parks and Recreation and the Board of Education to restore the stream buffers. “This work has resulted in an ideal area for public access, nature study, and bird watching in addition to reducing turbidity and sediment in the stream,” said Pete Wright of the County’s Stormwater Management Utility.

Appalachian Environmental Services completed the work that supports several different permit requirements. Gwinnett commissioners approved a change order Tuesday that reduced the project cost by $71,511. The $1.2 million project was paid from stormwater utility and water/sewer fees.

Standing Water Increases Risk of Mosquitoes

Recent rainfall has prompted the Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) Division of Public Health (DPH) to remind residents about the importance of emptying standing water to minimize mosquito activity. The standing water that persists after downpours of rain provides additional places for mosquitoes to breed and may cause mosquito eggs to hatch that have laid dormant for months or even years. Several mosquito-borne viruses circulate in Georgia each year and are capable of causing disease in humans and other animals.

“By emptying standing water, Georgians are able to decrease the presence of mosquitoes and reduce their risk of contracting mosquito-borne illnesses,” said Dr. Sandra Elizabeth Ford, acting director of the Division of Public Health. “Even if residents do not believe mosquitoes are biting, we still encourage them to dump excess water.”

The most common mosquito-borne viruses that annually circulate in Georgia include Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), West Nile (WNV) and La Crosse viruses. Mosquito-borne viruses are most active from late spring to early fall in Georgia. Increased numbers of human cases are normally detected in August.

OTHER WAYS TO PREVENT MOSQUITO BITES:

Avoid outdoor activity at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Dress appropriately when outdoors for long periods of time or when mosquitoes are most active.

Use insect repellant with an EPA-approved active ingredient such as DEET, Picaridin or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. Always follow the directions on the package for safest and most effective use.
Please visit http://health.state.ga.us/epi/vbd/mosquito.asp for more information about mosquito-borne viruses in Georgia.
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Atlanta Mayor Franklin, Commissioner Hunter Attend Tri-State Water Hearing

Mayor Shirley Franklin and Commissioner Robert Hunter were in Jacksonville, Fla., yesterday to attend a four-hour hearing on challenges by Alabama and Florida over use of Chattahoochee River water. Judge Paul Magnuson, a U.S. District Court Judge in Minnesota who has presided over a number of water-related lawsuits, has said that he will not immediately rule on the issue, which has fed a decades-long “water war” between Georgia, Alabama and Florida.

During the hearing, attorneys for the State of Georgia argued that legislation creating Lake Lanier clearly envisioned the lake as a water resource for the Atlanta area.

“As Mayor of the City of Atlanta – a City that operates a water and sewer system that serves over 1.2 million Georgians – I believe the vast majority of Georgians, Floridians and Alabamans want a negotiated resolution that protects everyone’s interests rather than a court-imposed mandate with a winner-take-all mandate,” Mayor Franklin said. “Through its undertaking of the $4 billion Clean Water Atlanta Program, Atlanta has shown itself to be acutely conscious of the necessity for protecting the river. Our residents have taxed themselves to fund the infrastructure improvements that will ensure that protection.”

“Atlanta continues to demonstrate its commitment to effective water resource management by our massive investment in our drinking water and wastewater systems,” Commissioner Hunter noted. “ Effective leadership and proper stewardship of water resources is essential to the future of the entire Metro Atlanta region.”
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Fayette: Your Vote Needed to Help Students with Water Conservation Efforts

Gifted students at Fayetteville Intermediate are helping Fayette Countians conserve water, one flush at a time.

You might have seen them at the Home Depot in Fayetteville handing out the Flush Flow Fixer, an empty water bottle which recipients fill with water and place in the tank of their toilets. The bottle displaces the water each time the toilet is flushed, resulting in less water usage.

The students won a water conservation contest sponsored by Governor Sonny Perdue back in December 2007 and received $2,000 to implement the program. Almost two years later, the students are still working hard to get residents to conserve water and are going after another grant to keep their effort going.

Keep Atlanta Beautiful has selected them as one of four finalists in the “Stepping Lightly in Atlanta Awards Contest.” The contest is open to children in the metro Atlanta area who are taking steps to reduce their ecological footprints where it matters most: in their homes, schools and communities.

Now through May 15, you can cast your vote for Fayetteville Intermediate to help the students win the $1,000 grand prize. Simply go to www.wsbtv.com/goinggreengeorgia and watch a video to learn more about the Flush Flow Fixer and cast your vote.

“It looks like Fayette Intermediate is in the lead. The parents and friends of the school are really into this and are spreading the word and voting,” says Heidi Johnson, gifted teacher.

You can vote once every five minutes per IP address. For more information on the contest, visit www.keepatlantabeautiful.org.
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23 Georgia Communities and Water Authorities Surpass 10 Percent Water Use Reductions Since 2007

For the last two years, Georgia has endured severe drought conditions that have resulted in the implementation of the State Drought Management Plan and required local governments, businesses and residents to change their water use habits. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) continues to closely monitor water use across the state, but especially in the counties where a level IV drought response remains in effect. As part of the drought response, local governments and their associated water authorities were charged with reducing their water usage by 10 percent. Since November 2007, 23 communities achieved an overall 10 percent reduction in water use, and 16 achieved a reduction of 15 percent or more (see attached table). The Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) celebrates these efforts as part of County Government Week, May 3 – 9, 2009, which focuses this year on “Greening our Future.”

“Local governments and water authorities are a critical partner in our water conservation efforts,” said EPD Director Dr. Carol Couch. “They have achieved water savings in a number of ways, including outreach and education about outdoor water use schedules, maximizing system efficiency through monitoring, making repairs and improvements to infrastructure, and working directly with large water uses in their communities.”

Following the declaration of a level IV drought response in much of the state in September 2007, Governor Perdue directed EPD to modify water use permits to achieve a 10 percent reduction in water use for permit holders in the affected area. This requirement was implemented on November 1, 2007. Georgians met that goal during the winter of 2007-2008 when outdoor water use is minimal by conserving water indoors.

“While local water providers were responsible for achieving the targeted reduction in water use, this was no small task because it required the counties and their water providers to change the habits of those that used their water supplies,” said ACCG Executive Director Jerry Griffin. “I hope that these conservation habits will become the new ‘norm’, as it is more cost effective to generate water through more efficient use than through new the development of new infrastructure.”

As an example, Newton County Water and Sewage Authority was one of the water providers that surpassed the targeted 10 percent water use reduction by achieving a 24 percent overall reduction.

Mike Hopkins, Director of the Newton County Water and Sewage Authority, attributes these water use reductions to several proactive steps that were taken both internally and externally. According to Hopkins, the facility conducted a thorough assessment of its operations and eliminated leaks in its treatment and delivery systems which reduced its unaccounted water loss from 12 percent to 5 percent. They also implemented water conservation rates for customers and initiated a water conservation public education and outreach campaign.

“Water conservation here has been a community effort, and it is saving the county and its citizens money in the long run,” said Hopkins. “We are trying to meet the demands of our growing community with conservation and our existing infrastructure and supplies, thus delaying water supply expansion projects further into the future.”

Gary Howe, the Executive Director of the White County Water Authority agrees that encouraging conservation also has made a difference in his community. Howe credits the Authority’s customers for helping them achieve a 15 percent reduction in water use.

“We reached out to our two largest water customers, the Board of Education and a local poultry plant, and asked them to make some changes that would reduce their water use which they did,” said Howe. “Our homeowners also stepped up by reducing their water use.”

While 2009 has so far brought a more normal pattern of rainfall across much of the state, the drought level and associated water use restrictions will remain in place until it is determined that a relaxation of restrictions can take place without jeopardizing local water supplies. Georgians can learn more about the drought and water use schedules at www.georgiaepd.org. They can also find tips on outdoor water conservation and drought-tolerant planting at www.conservewatergeorgia.net.

“This drought has taught all important lessons,” said Griffin. “Water conservation and making more efficient use of our water supplies are critical to meeting our future needs. County government must continue to serve as leaders in this area.”

First celebrated in 1991, National County Government Week (NCGW) was created by the National Association of Counties (NACo) to raise public awareness and understanding about the roles and responsibilities of the nation’s 3,068 counties.
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Volatile weather month smacks Georgia

April hit Georgia with almost every weather punch, including floods, hail, high winds, tornadoes and even two earthquakes.

Except for a few isolated areas in far north-central counties, rainfall across the state was above normal. More than 10 inches of rain was observed by radar in southeast and south-central Georgia, with some isolated unofficial reports in the U.S. Department of Agriculture weekly crop bulletin listing over 20 inches.

The highest official monthly total from the National Weather Service was 7.30 inches in Alma (4.14 inches above normal). The lowest total was in Augusta at 4.33 inches (1.39 inches above normal).

Atlanta received 5.18 inches (1.56 inches above normal), Athens 4.47 inches (1.12 inches above normal), Columbus 6.53 inches (2.69 inches above normal), Macon inches 5.66 (2.52 inches above normal), Savannah 6.97 inches (3.65 inches above normal) and Brunswick 5.83 inches (3.03 above normal). Many daily records were set during the month at these stations, including 3.66 inches at Savannah on April 2.

The highest one-day total rainfall from the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network was 6.53 inches near Baxley on the morning of April 3. There were also one-day totals in excess of six inches at Woodbine with 6.25 inches on April 1 and Moultrie with 6.04 inches on April.

Rainfall and flooding closed schools near Tifton in south Georgia for two days early in the month. Major and near-record flooding occurred along several rivers in the area. Over 80 buildings were impacted by the flooding, including 62 owner-occupied homes and 20 rentals. Of these, 20 received minor damage, 44 had major damage, and 18 mobile homes were completely destroyed.

In Atlanta, the monthly average temperature was 60.7 degrees (.9 degree below normal), in Athens 61 degrees (.1 degree above normal), Columbus 62.8 degrees (1.4 degrees below normal), Macon 62.6 degrees (.1 degree below normal), Savannah 65 degrees (.3 degrees below normal), Brunswick 67.3 degrees (.9 degree above normal), Alma 64.4 degrees (2.3 degrees below normal) and Augusta 62 degrees (.4 degree below normal). A record low of 32 degrees for the date was tied in Columbus on April 8.

There were numerous severe weather events over the month, including over 30 preliminary reports of tornadoes. This is the most tornadoes in April in Georgia for a decade.

Hail or high winds were observed somewhere in the state on at least 10 days, including a report of hail covering the ground in Elberton on April 14. Golf-ball-sized hail was reported at Turner Field in Atlanta on April 23.

Tornadoes were reported April 5 in south Georgia, April 10 throughout the northern half of the state, April 13 in south Georgia, and near Atlanta and Columbus on April 19. One person was killed by a drought-stressed fallen tree near Buckhead in Atlanta on April 13, and more than 250,000 people were without power during the storms.

One person was reported injured in Hancock County on April 10. Two people were reported injured near Woodstock near the Cobb County and Cherokee County border on April 19. Lightning caused a number of building fires on April 24 in and around Atlanta and caused the temporary evacuation of the control tower at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson airport, resulting in delays in arrivals and departures.

Because of the heavy rains this month, farmers had a difficult time working in the fields. Many fields of corn had to be replanted due to soggy conditions. High winds and hail damaged peach and pecan trees. Mild frost damaged grapes, strawberries and blueberries the week ending on April 13.

Two small earthquakes in Hancock and Baldwin counties on April 4 measured 3.1 and 2.2 on the Richter scale and were felt throughout the area. They could have been caused by shifting ground due to very wet soil.

By Pam Knox
University of Georgia

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