Sewer rates in Peachtree City are pretty good compared to elsewhere in metro Atlanta, according to a report issued at Monday night's monthly meeting of the Peachtree City Water and Sewerage Authority.

A study was conducted in November by the Douglasville-Douglas County authority, according toWASA general manager Larry Turner, to whom a copy was furnished since Peachtree City was included in the study.

A dozen metro-area systems were rated on their connection fees and monthly sewer rates. In both cases, Peachtree City's costs were slightly below average and in the bottom half of the group.

WASA's $1550 connection fee was higher than only three other systems: Rockdale County ($1400), Gwinnett County ($948) and DeKalb County ($650). Henry County led the list at $2600, followed by Carroll County ($2500), Paulding County ($2000), Fulton County ($1810), Douglas County ($1800), Cherokee County ($1700), Cobb County ($1700) and Clayton County ($1560). The average for all 12 systems was $1685.

The monthly sewer rate comparison was based on an average customer using 7000 gallons. The most expensive was Fulton ($39.25), followed by Rockdale ($32.35), Cobb ($31.34), Paulding ($30.25), Gwinnett ($30.19) and Douglas ($26.20). The average for the group was $26.36.

Right behind Peachtree City ($24.50) was Carroll ($24.04), Cherokee ($23.92), Henry ($23.89), DeKalb ($15.70) and Clayton ($14.70).

“There has not been a rate increase for some time,” Turner said of Peachtree City's rates. “And I do not anticipate one.”

He did not hesitate to give the WASA board credit, saying that the figures prove the group is watching its finances closely.

Turner pointed out that the rates used in the comparison are for sewer only, which is typically 30-40 percent higher than just for water.

“That makes these figures even more significant,” said board member John Williams.

Ironically, at the same meeting the board approved a revised rate resolution establishing a separate rate district, with higher fees, for what Turner described as the Wynnmeade/West Village service area.

Turner said that this change was necessitated by a litigation settlement that led to apartments being built in the area, which required the construction of certain pump stations and force mains to serve other properties.

The parties to the agreement — Ravin Homes, TEF Investments and TEF Partners — have paid the higher connection fees ($2050 for residential; $2850 for commercial, industrial or apartments), Turner said, but there was nothing in place that would bind a future user to those fees. The board's adoption of the rate resolution solved that problem.

In other business, the board approved two change orders for a contract with P.F. Moon and Company for improvements at the city's three wastewater treatment plants. The combined changes lower the total cost, from $1,205,400 to $1,184,353.10.

The annual WASA retreat is scheduled for Saturday, June 10, at the Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center. The June board meeting will be at 1 p.m. that day, instead of the regular Monday night meeting.

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