Five communities impacted by Hurricane Helene were awarded financing totaling $64,830,000 by the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) board of directors for projects to strengthen the resilience of drinking water and wastewater infrastructure and respond to water-related emergencies. The state of Georgia was awarded $499,385,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the 2025 American Relief Act to help communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.

To be eligible, communities must demonstrate impacts from Hurricane Helene and propose a project designed to reduce the risk and vulnerability of flood damage or enhance the resilience of drinking water and wastewater systems to rapid hydrologic changes or natural disasters.

Approved loans:

  • Adel awarded an $11,000,000 Helene Relief Fund (HRF) Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan
  • Alma awarded a $14,000,000 HRF CWSRF loan, a $2,100,000 HRF CWSRF loan, and an $8,230,000 HRF Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan
  • Cadwell awarded a $2,000,000 HRF CWSRF loan 
  • Lakeland awarded a $2,000,000 HRF DWSRF loan
  • Lavonia awarded a $4,000,000 HRF CWSRF loan, an $8,000,000 HRF DWSRF loan, a $10,500,000 HRF DWSRF loan, and a $3,000,000 HRF DWSRF loan

Project and loan details:

City of Adel

The $11,000,000 HRF CWSRF loan will finance the replacement of two lift stations and installation of sewer lines. The project will increase the system’s reliability, efficiency, and capacity. The city will pay no interest on the 20-year loan. The city is eligible for up to $8,250,000 in principal forgiveness. 

City of Alma

The $14,000,000 HRF CWSRF loan will finance upgrades to the water pollution control plant to make it more efficient and resilient. The city will pay no interest on the 30-year loan. The city is eligible for up to $10,500,000 in principal forgiveness.

The $2,100,000 HRF CWSRF loan will finance replacing clay sewer main with larger high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes and rehabilitating manholes. The city will pay no interest on the 30-year loan. The city is eligible for up to $1,575,000 in principal forgiveness.

The $8,230,000 HRF DWSRF loan will finance a new 500,000-gallon elevated water tank, new deep well, and larger water main. The project will improve water pressure, expedite service restoration, and increase system redundancy to reduce disruptions during emergencies. The city will pay no interest on the 30-year loan. The city is eligible for up to $6,172,500 in principal forgiveness.

Town of Cadwell

The $2,000,000 HRF CWSRF loan will finance installation of new sewer main and lift stations. The project will address failing septic systems that cannot drain properly because of poor soil conditions by connecting affected homes to the central sewer system. The town will pay no interest on the loan. The town is eligible for up to $2,000,000 in principal forgiveness.

City of Lakeland

The $2,000,000 HRF DWSRF loan will finance improvements to the existing well site to rehabilitate water supply infrastructure damaged during Hurricane Helene. The project will improve system redundancy and distribution resiliency while supporting continued service throughout the city. The city will pay no interest on the loan. The city is eligible for up to $2,000,000 in principal forgiveness.

City of Lavonia

The $4,000,000 HRF CWSRF loan will finance upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant and a new aerial sewer main. The project will reduce wet weather inflow and increase treatment process stability during high flow events. The city will pay no interest on the loan. The city is eligible for up to $4,000,000 in principal forgiveness.

The $8,000,000 HRF DWSRF loan will finance upgrades to the water treatment plant. The project will increase system resiliency by right-sizing parts at the plant and perform other upgrades to better handle peak flows. The city will pay no interest on the loan. The city is eligible for up to $8,000,000 in principal forgiveness.

The $10,500,000 HRF DWSRF loan will finance installation of a new water main to increase system resiliency and redundancy and provide operational flexibility during emergencies. The city will pay no interest on the loan. The city is eligible for up to $10,500,000 in principal forgiveness.

The $3,000,000 HRF DWSRF loan will finance installation of a new raw water intake structure and booster pump at the Crawford Creek Raw Water Pump Station. The station, located downstream of the Crawford Creek Reservoir Dam, is vulnerable to flooding during severe rain events. The city will pay no interest on the loan. The city is eligible for up to $3,000,000 in principal forgiveness.