Friday, February 18, 2000
Friday, February 18, 2000 |
Coweta and Fayette counties soon could be entering an agreement that could help alleviate Coweta's water problems until its reservoir comes online. Coweta County Commission Chairman Vernon “Mutt” Hunter announced this week at the commission meeting that he had staged preliminary discussions with Fayette County officials about purchasing water. Coweta would connect to Fayette County's water line on Ga. Highway 54 in Peachtree City and be able to buy a maximum of 1.5 million gallons a day for a two-year period. In two years, Coweta County's new reservoir will be up and running and supplying nearly seven mgd. Hunter explained that if the deal is approved, it will be beneficial to both parties. “This is an example of what a good neighbor Fayette County is trying to be,” he said. Hunter worked as Fayette County's public works director for several years and is leading the negotiations because of his contacts in the county. If the details are worked out, Coweta County would pay for all hookup fees and pay Fayette County the current wholesale water rate it charges other customers, such as Fayetteville. Once Coweta's reservoir is in service, the county would not need Fayette's water. But Hunter wants to keep the connection as an added measure of insurance. “You can never tell when something's going to break. We might even be able to help Fayette down the road,” he said. If the deal is completed, Hunter emphasized that it would not affect Coweta's current water contract with the city of Newnan or a potential contract with the city of Griffin on water purchases. With water becoming an extremely precious commodity, Hunter wants to make sure that Coweta is set to accommodate the growth that is streaming into the county, along with any weather difficulties. “What happens if this drought continues? I want to be prepared,” he said. Hunter said Fayette water officials will study the proposal and make recommendations back to him to discuss before the full commission board.
|
||||||