Loan commitments include energy, land, and water conservation projects

Four Georgia communities were awarded financing totaling $8,746,000 for water, wastewater, and land conservation infrastructure improvements by the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) board of directors.

Approved loans:

  • Ball Ground awarded a $425,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) conservation loan
  • Fitzgerald Water Light and Bond Commission awarded a $2,321,000 CWSRF conservation loan
  • LaFayette awarded a $3,000,000 Georgia Fund conservation loan
  • Richmond Hill awarded a $3,000,000 Georgia Fund loan

Project and loan details:

City of Ball Ground

The $425,000 CWSRF conservation loan will finance the purchase of the Roberts Lake property for permanent conservation. The 50-acre property is located in an area that is quickly developing. This purchase will allow the city to conserve the land, protect streambanks, and reduce erosion. The city will pay 1.59% interest on the 20-year loan. The loan will finance a conservation project, which qualifies for a reduced interest rate.

Fitzgerald Water Light and Bond Commission

The $2,321,000 CWSRF conservation loan will finance the rehabilitation of 20,000 linear feet of gravity sewer to reduce excessive inflow and infiltration. The project will improve the reliability and efficiency of the C.A. Newcomer Water Pollution Control Plant and ensure compliance with water quality standards. The commission will pay 1.25% interest on the 15-year loan. The loan will finance a conservation project, which qualifies for a reduced interest rate.

City of LaFayette

The $3,000,000 Georgia Fund conservation loan will finance the relocation and replacement of water mains and sanitary sewer lines. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is rehabilitating and paving a segment of U.S. Route 27 Business. When complete, this project will allow GDOT to begin its project. The city will pay 2.09% interest on the 20-year loan. The loan will finance a conservation project, which qualifies for a reduced interest rate.

City of Richmond Hill

The $3,000,000 Georgia Fund loan will finance the installation of a master lift station and a force main connection to the water reclamation facility. The recent annexation of industrial- and commercially-zoned land from unincorporated Bryan County requires new infrastructure to support current and future development at Belfast Commerce Park. This project will provide a direct route to the city’s sewage system, distribute reclaimed water in other areas of the community, and improve the overall water quality. The city will pay 2.09% interest on the 20-year loan, which is eligible for a reduced interest rate because Richmond Hill is a WaterFirst Community.

Other GEFA board actions:

City of Adairsville

The board approved a $2,313,000 increase to a $9,273,000 CWSRF loan approved in January 2017.

City of Kingston

The board approved a $1,000,000 DWSRF interim loan. This loan will provide interim financing to upgrade an outdated and deteriorating water distribution system. Improvements to the system will allow the city to provide safe and reliable drinking water to its customers. The city will pay 1.44% interest on the 5-year interim loan.

City of Lyons

The board approved a scope modification to a $14,800,000 CWSRF loan approved in November 2017.

City of Pavo

The board approved a $680,000 DWSRF interim loan. This loan will provide interim financing to install water mains and construct a 125,000 gallon elevated water storage tank, a 500 gallon-per-minute deep well, and a chemical feed building to help the city have adequate water supply to meet the demands of future growth. The city will pay 0.89% interest on the 5-year interim loan.

City of Pinehurst

The board approved a $60,000 increase to a $85,000 CWSRF loan approved in May 2018.

Additional information:

The CWSRF provides communities with low-interest loans for wastewater infrastructure and water pollution control projects. The program is jointly funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the state of Georgia. These projects conserve and improve water resources and facilitate economic growth and development.

The DWSRF provides communities with low-interest loans for water infrastructure projects that deliver safe, affordable drinking water. These projects conserve and improve water resources and facilitate economic growth and development.

The Georgia Fund, a state-funded program, provides communities with low-interest loans for water, wastewater, water conservation, and solid waste infrastructure projects. Eligible projects include water and sewer lines, treatment plants, pumping stations, wells, water storage tanks, and water meters. These projects conserve and improve water resources and facilitate economic growth and development.

GEFA provides loan financing at a reduced interest rate for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at water and wastewater treatment plants, landfills, and municipal solid waste facilities; water conservation projects in the areas of water loss and end-use water efficiency; and nonpoint source land conservation projects.