Loan commitments include five conservation projects

ATLANTA – August 26, 2025. Twenty Georgia communities were awarded financing totaling $223,099,186 for water, wastewater, sewer, and stormwater projects by the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) board of directors. 

Approved loans: 

  • Braselton awarded a $6,963,900 Georgia Fund loan
  • Crawfordville awarded a $28,675 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) lead service line loan
  • Effingham County Board of Commissioners awarded a $10,000,000 Georgia Fund loan
  • Hahira awarded a $630,000 Georgia Fund loan
  • Hiawassee awarded a $55,000 DWSRF lead service line loan
  • Hiltonia awarded a $72,000 DWSRF lead service line loan
  • Hoschton awarded a $10,000,000 Georgia Fund loan
  • Jasper County awarded a $1,845,000 Georgia Fund loan
  • Lake Park awarded a $2,000,000 Georgia Fund loan
  • Lowndes County awarded a $2,812,500 Georgia Fund loan
  • Luthersville awarded a $10,200,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) conservation loan
  • Moultrie awarded a $3,000,000 Georgia Fund loan
  • Norman Park awarded a $100,000 DWSRF lead service line loan
  • Pembroke awarded a $15,041,200 Georgia Fund conservation loan
  • Savannah awarded a $146,000,000 Georgia Fund loan
  • Sparta awarded a $6,150,000 DWSRF conservation loan
  • Sycamore awarded a $640,000 CWSRF conservation loan, a $432,500 DWSRF conservation loan, and a $80,000 DWSRF lead service line loan
  • Thomasville awarded a $4,300,000 CWSRF loan
  • Tignall awarded a $2,677,600 Georgia Fund loan
  • Webster County awarded a $70,811 DWSRF lead service line loan

Project and loan details: 

Town of Braselton

The $6,963,900 Georgia Fund loan will finance constructing a storage tank, developing two groundwater wells, and installing high service pumps and water main. This project will support the anticipated commercial and residential growth in the area. The town will pay 2.49% interest on the 20-year loan. This loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate due to the town being a WaterFirst Community. The town is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $696,390.

City of Crawfordville

The $28,675 DWSRF lead service line loan will finance an inventory of lead service lines in the water system. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $28,675.

Effingham County Board of Commissioners

The $10,000,000 Georgia Fund loan will help finance constructing a raw water intake, raw water line, water treatment plant, water main, and an elevated water tank. This project will provide surface water to Effingham, Bryan, and Chatham Counties to reduce the reliance on groundwater. The county will pay no interest on the 40-year loan. The county is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $5,000,000. This loan is part of the state’s investment in surface water infrastructure for coastal Georgia.

City of Hahira

The $630,000 Georgia Fund loan will finance upgrading the stormwater system in the Woodbridge subdivision. The area is experiencing recurring flooding that threatens roadways and public health. This project will protect residents, improve property conditions, and enhance community resilience. The city will pay 3.49% interest on the 20-year loan. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $567,000. 

Town of Hiawassee

The $55,000 DWSRF lead service line loan will finance an inventory of lead service lines in the water system. The town is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $55,00. 

Town of Hiltonia

The $72,000 DWSRF lead service line loan will finance an inventory of lead service lines in the water system. The town will pay 2.89% interest on the 20-year loan. The town is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $65,000.

City of Hoschton

The $10,000,000 Georgia Fund loan will finance expanding the Hoschton Wastewater Treatment Facility, installing force main, and relocating the discharge to Indian Creek. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division required the city to move the treated effluent to a larger body of water. This project will provide reliable treatment and effluent quality for future population growth. The city will pay 3.49% interest on the 20-year loan. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $1,000,000. 

Jasper County Water and Sewer Authority

The $1,845,000 Georgia Fund loan will finance installing new water lines and constructing an elevated storage tank. The county currently lacks adequate storage capacity and properly sized water lines. The county will pay 2.31% interest on the 5-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate due to GEFA’s affordability criteria. 

City of Lake Park

The $2,000,000 Georgia Fund loan will finance upgrading the city’s water distribution system. The system, which was installed in the 1970s, has begun to deteriorate resulting in discolored water and inadequate water pressure. This project will provide residents with reliable water quality and provide adequate water pressure. The city will pay 2.99% interest on the 20-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate due to GEFA’s affordability criteria. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $1,840,000.

Lowndes County Board of Commissioners

The $2,812,500 Georgia Fund loan will finance installing permanent bypass pumps at lift stations. The county has several pump stations that are critical to transporting sewage to the land application system. This project will provide the pump stations with an adequate backup for pumping sewage. The city will pay 3.49% interest on the 20-year loan. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $703,125. 

City of Luthersville

The $10,200,000 CWSRF loan will finance the construction of a sewer collection system. The city is in phase two of the construction of a sanitary sewer collection system. This project will replace failing septic systems and protect public health. The city will pay 2.66% interest on the 30-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate due to GEFA’s affordability criteria and the project being a conservation activity. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $5,000,000. 

City of Moultrie 

The $3,000,000 Georgia Fund loan will finance rehabilitating the city’s sewer system. The existing land application system (LAS) fails to meet permit limits and will be ineligible for permit renewal until it returns to compliance. This project will abandon the LAS and reroute the sewage to the water pollution control plant. This project will allow the city to meet compliance and protect the surrounding environment. The city will pay 3.24% on the 20-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate due to GEFA’s affordability criteria. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $900,000.

City of Norman Park

The $100,000 DWSRF lead service line loan will finance an inventory and replacement of lead service lines in the water system. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $100,000.

City of Pembroke

The $15,041,200 Georgia Fund loan will finance expanding the capacity of the city’s existing wastewater treatment facility. The city is currently under a consent order for inflow and infiltration violations. The city needs sewer improvements to avoid violations related to flow permits and land application system irrigation. This project will provide more capacity for the growing customer base and improve water quality. The city will pay 3.59% interest on the 30-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate due to GEFA’s affordability criteria and a portion of the project being a conservation activity. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $9,000,000.

City of Savannah

The $146,000,000 Georgia Fund loan will finance updating the Industrial and Domestic (I and D) Water Plant, repairing the raw water pipeline, and constructing an elevated storage tank and pump stations. Due to unprecedented industrial and residential development, the demand for water has significantly increased and continued growth is anticipated. This project will allow the city to remain the primary drinking water supplier to the growing city and region. The city will pay no interest on the 40-year loan. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $73,000,000. This loan is part of the state’s investment in surface water infrastructure for coastal Georgia.

City of Sparta

The $6,150,000 DWSRF loan will finance installing new water lines and constructing a water storage tank. The city is currently suffering from frequent water main breaks and line failures, resulting in water contamination and service interruptions. This project will increase efficiency, enhance treatment processes, and improve reliability throughout the system. The city will pay 1.91% interest on the 20-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate due to GEFA’s affordability criteria and a portion of the project being a conservation activity. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $3,600,000. 

City of Sycamore

The $640,000 CWSRF conservation loan will finance upgrading lift stations, adding generators, and installing a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. The pump stations at three lift stations have reached the end of their useful life. The generators installed at each lift station will provide backup power during outages to eliminate potential spills and overflows. This project will improve the reliance and functionality of the lift stations. The city will pay 1.94% interest on the 20-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate due to GEFA’s affordability criteria and a portion of the project being a conservation activity.

The $432,500 DWSRF conservation loan will finance the installation of an automated meter reading (AMR) system and a SCADA system. This project will increase the reliability and efficiency of the water distribution system. The city will pay 1.89% interest on the 20-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate due to GEFA’s affordability criteria and the project being a conservation activity. 

The $80,000 DWSRF lead service line loan will finance an inventory and replacement of lead service lines in the water system. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $80,000.

City of Thomasville

The $4,300,000 CWSRF loan will finance the permitting, engineering, and designing of the upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant. The city is under a consent order with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division for noncompliance with the city’s wastewater permit. This phase is for permitting and designing technological upgrades to the secondary treatment process to address the new stringent permit limitation. The city will pay 2.39% interest on the 20-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate due to the city being a WaterFirst Community. 

Town of Tignall

The $2,677,600 Georgia Fund loan will finance upgrading the town’s wastewater treatment plant. The proposed upgrades will address notices of noncompliance and violations issued by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. This project will extend the effective service life of the plant, ensure compliance with current and anticipated permit requirements, and enhance the treatment reliability of the system. The town will pay 3.24% interest on the 20-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate due to GEFA’s affordability criteria. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $2,409,840. 

Unified Government of Webster County 

The $70,811 DWSRF lead service line loan will finance an inventory of lead service lines in the water system. The county is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $70,811.

Other GEFA Board Actions:

City of Baldwin

The board ratified an emergency loan authorized by the GEFA executive director on August 13, 2025. The city received a $545,000 Georgia Fund loan to install water main. The city will pay 3.49% interest on the 20-year loan.

City of Sparta

The board ratified an emergency loan authorized by the GEFA executive director on August 18, 2025. The city received a $290,000 Georgia Fund loan to install water main. The city will pay 2.10% interest on the 20-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate due to GEFA’s affordability criteria and a portion of the project being a conservation activity.

City of Waycross

The board approved a scope modification to a $3,000,000 DWSRF loan originally approved in November 2023.