Twenty-five Georgia communities were awarded financing totaling $117,208,900 for water, sewer, and wastewater projects by the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) board of directors.

Approved loans:

  • Ashburn awarded a $1,680,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan and a $1,122,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) conservation loan
  • Attapulgus awarded a $240,000 DWSRF loan
  • Bartow County Water Department awarded a $2,637,000 CWSRF loan and a $1,263,000 Georgia Fund loan
  • Boston awarded a $1,500,000 CWSRF loan and a $343,000 DWSRF loan
  • Bryan County Board of Commissioners awarded a $9,961,000 Georgia Fund conservation loan
  • Carrollton awarded a $10,000,000 DWSRF loan
  • Clayton County Water Authority awarded a $50,000,000 CWSRF loan and a $10,000,000 CWSRF loan
  • Damascus awarded a $183,000 DWSRF loan
  • Doerun awarded a $750,000 CWSRF loan and a $275,000 DWSRF loan
  • Dublin awarded a $1,800,400 CWSRF loan
  • East Point awarded a $2,000,000 CWSRF loan, a $2,000,000 DWSRF loan, and a $1,400,000 Georgia Fund loan
  • Unified Government of Georgetown-Quitman County awarded a $225,000 CWSRF loan
  • Gilmer County Board of Commissioners awarded a $755,000 CWSRF conservation loan
  • Iron City awarded a $1,829,000 DWSRF loan
  • Leesburg awarded a $590,000 CWSRF loan and a $1,454,000 DWSRF loan
  • Lowndes County awarded a $2,500,000 CWSRF loan and a $1,904,500 DWSRF loan
  • McDuffie County Board of Commissioners awarded a $650,000 CWSRF conservation loan
  • Montezuma awarded a $300,000 DWSRF loan
  • Norman Park awarded a $1,500,000 CWSRF conservation loan
  • Pavo awarded a $450,000 DWSRF loan
  • Pelham awarded a $644,000 CWSRF loan and a $672,000 DWSRF loan
  • Poulan awarded a $532,000 DWSRF loan
  • Stewart County Water & Sewerage Authority awarded a $549,000 DWSRF loan
  • Thomaston awarded a $3,000,000 CWSRF loan
  • Villa Rica awarded a $2,500,000 DWSRF loan

Project and loan details:

City of Ashburn

The $1,680,000 CWSRF loan will finance rehabilitating the sewer collection system and installing pumps and generators. This project will protect public health by preventing the interruption of collection system during extreme weather events. The city will pay no interest on the 30-year loan. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $300,000.

The $1,122,000 DWSRF conservation loan will finance replacing manual-read water meters with an automatic meter reading (AMR) system. This project will reduce leaks, increase billing accuracy, and improve meter reading efficiency. The city will pay 0.13% on the 20-year loan. The loan will finance a conservation project, which qualifies for a reduced interest rate. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $556,000.

City of Attapulgus

The $240,000 DWSRF loan will finance the installation of a new well, which will serve as a redundant supply source to prevent interruption of the city’s water distribution system. This project will increase system resiliency in the event of a natural disaster. The city will pay no interest on the 20-year loan. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $96,000.

Bartow County Water Department

The $2,637,000 CWSRF loan will finance constructing a lift station, a force main, and gravity sewer. The Bartow County Water System proposes to extend its sewer utilities to serve new commercial customers, including a new distribution center along U.S. Route 41 and Third Army Road. This project will facilitate job creation and boost the local economy. The county will pay 0.13% interest on the 20-year loan.

The $1,263,000 Georgia Fund loan will finance installing water main. This project will facilitate job creation and boost the local economy. The county will pay 0.63% interest on the 20-year loan.

The county is eligible for reduced interest rates because it is a WaterFirst Community.

City of Boston

The $1,500,000 CWSRF loan will rehabilitate the sewer collection system. During Hurricane Michael, the city experienced overloaded pump stations, surcharging manholes, and power outages. This project will enhance system resiliency and efficiency. This city will pay no interest on the 20-year loan. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $300,000.

The $343,000 DWSRF loan will finance upgrading the water distribution system. During Hurricane Michael, the city’s water distribution system experienced interruptions due to power outages and flood-damaged electronic equipment. This project will upgrade water system equipment and install backup power supplies and a remote communication system to ensure continuous operation during future weather events. The city will pay no interest on the 20-year loan. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $188,650.

Bryan County Board of Commissioners  

The $9,961,000 Georgia Fund conservation loan will finance rehabilitating and expanding the sewer collection system. The regional sewer conveyance system and pump station is part of a larger regional infrastructure expansion related to the Savannah Portside International Park along 1-16 and Jimmy Deloach Parkway in Effingham County. This project will extend sewer infrastructure to support the development of the park. The county will pay 1.58% interest on the 20-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate because a portion of the project is a conservation activity.

City of Carrollton

The $10,000,000 DWSRF loan will finance the construction of a raw water settling pond. The city withdraws water from the Little Tallapoosa River directly into the water treatment plant. Sand in the water causes excessive wear and tear on the pumps. This project will allow solids to settle out and reduce the amount of chemicals needed for treatment. The city will pay 0.13% interest on the 20-year loan, which is eligible for a reduced interest rate because the city is a WaterFirst Community.

Clayton County Water Authority

The $50,000,000 CWSRF loan will finance upgrading the biosolids management at the W.B. Casey Water Reclamation Facility. This project will expand capacity from 24 to 32 million gallons per day. The county will pay 0.13% interest on the 20-year loan.

The $10,000,000 CWSRF loan will finance rehabilitating the county’s stormwater system. This project will ensure better stormwater management and nonpoint source pollution control. The authority will pay 0.13% interest on the 20-year loan.

The authority is eligible for reduced interest rates because it is a WaterFirst Community.

City of Damascus

The $183,000 DWSRF loan will finance installing a new permanent generator and a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system and repairing a chemical feed building. The city experienced extended power outages during Hurricane Michael. This project will increase system resiliency and reliability in case of a natural disaster. The city will pay no interest on the 20-year loan. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $64,050.

City of Doerun

The $750,000 CWSRF loan will finance upgrading the sewer collection system. During Hurricane Michael, the sewer system was overwhelmed due to flooding and power outages. This project will protect public health by preventing the interruption of the collection system during extreme weather events. The city will pay no interest on the 20-year loan. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $187,500.

The $275,000 DWSRF loan will finance upgrading the water distribution system. During Hurricane Michael, the water system was overwhelmed due to flooding and power outages. This project will allow the city to monitor its drinking water treatment facility and prevent loss of service to customers, equipment failure, and power outages during extreme weather events. The city will pay no interest on the 20-year loan. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $137,500.

City of Dublin

The $1,800,400 CWSRF loan will finance rehabilitating and extending the sewer system. The city’s sanitary sewer system experienced heavy inflow and infiltration during Hurricane Michael. This project will improve capacity and mitigate inflow and infiltration. The city will pay no interest on the 20-year loan. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $275,000.

City of East Point

The $2,000,000 CWSRF loan will finance rehabilitating sewer main and manholes. This project will ensure structural integrity of the pipes throughout the city. The city will pay 0.13% interest on the 20-year loan.

The $2,000,000 DWSRF loan will finance rehabilitating and replacing water main. This project will increase water pressure and system reliability. The city will pay 0.13% interest on the 20-year loan.

The $1,400,000 Georgia Fund loan will finance rehabilitating and improving the Ben Hill Reservoir. The reservoir is experiencing siltation, which has reduced the storage volume. This project will increase storage volume, provide balancing storage for the water treatment plant, and allow the dam to run safely. This city will pay 0.63% interest on the 20-year loan.

The city is eligible for reduced interest rates because it is a WaterFirst Community.

Unified Government of Georgetown-Quitman County

The $225,000 CWSRF loan will finance improvements to lift stations. During Hurricane Michael, this area experienced power outages. This project will protect public health, provide backup power supply, and allow for remote monitoring. The county will pay no interest on the 20-year loan. The county is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $56,250.

Gilmer County

The $755,000 CWSRF conservation loan will finance replacing lift station pumps and transmission main. The county’s existing pumps and main have reached the end of their service life and are no longer operating efficiently. This project will safeguard an adjacent stream and the public water supply downstream. The county will pay 0.39% interest on the 20-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate because a portion of the project is a conservation activity. The county is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $264,250.

Town of Iron City

The $1,829,000 DWSRF loan will finance upgrading the town’s water distribution system. During Hurricane Michael, the town lost power causing residents to be without drinking water for 12 hours. This project will ensure that the town has a reliable and clean water supply during severe weather events. The town will pay no interest on the 30-year loan. The town is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $500,000.

City of Leesburg

The $590,000 CWSRF loan will finance upgrading the sewer collection system by rehabilitating manholes and installing backup power, bypass pumping, and a remote communication system. This project will help prevent the interruption of operations during extreme weather events. The city will pay no interest on the 20-year loan. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $44,250.

The $1,454,000 DWSRF loan will finance looping water mains and installing backup power and a remote communication system to enhance resiliency, create redundancy, and prevent the interruption of operations during extreme weather events. The city will pay no interest on the 30-year loan. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $200,000.

Lowndes County

The $2,500,000 CWSRF loan will finance rehabilitating the sewer collection system. The county’s sewer collection system has deteriorated due to age and the buildup of corrosive gases. This project will increase system efficiency and the ability to identify lift station failures. The city will pay 1.13% interest on the 20-year loan. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $625,000.

The $1,904,500 Georgia Fund loan will finance the installation of sewer and water main. The Georgia Department of Transportation will expand Lake Park’s Bellville Road from two to four lanes. This project will move water and sewer main to accommodate the new four lane road. The city will pay 0.52% interest on the 10-year loan.

McDuffie County Board of Commissioners

The $650,000 CWSRF conservation loan will finance extending the sewer collection system and installing a new pump station. The project will protect public health and decrease nonpoint source pollution. The county will pay 0.13% interest on the 20-year loan. The loan will finance a conservation project, which qualifies for a reduced interest rate.

City of Montezuma

The $300,000 DWSRF loan will finance installing shut-off valves and a generator. During Hurricane Michael, the city experienced power outages that impacted drinking water production and quality. This project will ensure the water system maintains adequate pressure and power during severe weather events. The city will pay no interest on the 20-year loan. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $150,000.

City of Norman Park

The $1,500,000 CWSRF conservation loan will finance rehabilitating the water pollution control plant (WPCP). This project will address needed improvements at the city’s WPCP to bring the system into compliance. The city will pay 1.62% interest on the 30-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate because a portion of the project is a conservation activity. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $375,000.

City of Pavo

The $450,000 DWSRF loan will finance rehabilitating a well and constructing a chemical feed building. Due to the system’s age, the city’s primary well needs a new casing. This project will ensure compliance and maintain a safe drinking water supply. The city will pay 1.86% interest on the 30-year loan. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $225,000.

City of Pelham

The $644,000 CWSRF loan will finance rehabilitating pump stations. During Hurricane Michael, a power outage resulted in sewage overflows at two pump stations. This project will mitigate the potential for sewage overflows during power outages and flooding events. The city will pay no interest on the 30-year loan. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $128,800.

The $672,000 DWSRF loan will finance rehabilitating the water distribution system. During Hurricane Michael, a power outage resulted in the failure of three wells. This project will prevent interruptions of the water system during future natural disasters. The city will pay no interest on the 30-year loan. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $302,400.

City of Poulan

The $532,000 DWSRF loan will finance upgrading the water distribution system. During Hurricane Michael, the well was without power for several days and the city nearly ran out of drinking water. This project will ensure that the city has a reliable water supply during extreme weather events. The city will pay no interest on the 20-year loan. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $213,000.

The Stewart County Water & Sewerage Authority

The $549,000 DWSRF loan will finance installing a well, a SCADA system, and an emergency generator. The county’s water system lacks redundancy and is vulnerable to service interruptions during extreme weather events. This project will increase the system’s reliability during natural disasters. The authority will pay no interest on the 20-year loan. The county is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $219,600.

City of Thomaston

The $3,000,000 CWSRF loan will finance upgrading the city’s wastewater treatment plants. This project will replace outdated equipment and expand the plants to include updated treatment capabilities. The city will pay 1.13% interest on the 20-year loan. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $1,100,000.

City of Villa Rica

The $2,500,000 DWSRF loan will finance upgrading water main and installing hydrants and valves. The city’s downtown water main is aging and undersized. This project will increase water system reliability.

The city will pay 0.13% interest on the 20-year loan, which is eligible for a reduced interest rate because the city is a WaterFirst Community.

Other GEFA board actions:

City of Concord

The board approved a scope modification to a $270,000 DWSRF conservation loan approved in November 2019.

Dade County Water and Sewer Authority

The board approved a $1,124,000 increase to a DWSRF loan approved in August 2020.

Town of Homer

The board approved a scope modification to a $450,000 DWSRF conservation loan approved in May 2018.

Newton County

The board approved an $1,619,500 increase to a Georgia Fund loan approved in May 2020.

Resolution

The board adopted a bond resolution requesting the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission issue $12,000,000 of State of Georgia General Obligation Bonds for GEFA’s loan programs.