West point lake may prove water solution

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@thecitizennews.com

Coweta's future source of water may be the big water to the south West Point Lake.

During Tuesday afternoon's joint meeting of the Coweta County commissioners and the Newnan Utilities Board, both sides agreed that down the road, the county needs to be looking at the huge water source that straddles the Alabama line.

As drought conditions have persisted this summer, Newnan Utilities general manager Dennis McEntire has watched the county's reservoirs dip down.

"If we don't have anymore rain this year, we can only last until December," said McEntire.

Coweta County purchases its water from Newnan Utilities and called Tuesday's meeting to get an overall view of the county's water situation.

This year, the county's highest water usage was in April and May, with an average 10.5 million gallons a day used, said the utilities chief.

The peak day was 13.2 mgd, which puts the usage perilously close to the system's peak capacity of 14 mgd.

"If our peak level goes up as much next year as it did this year, we will not be able to meet it," said McEntire.

McEntire added it's critical that another water source be obtained by next spring. Commission Chairman Vernon "Mutt" Hunter said the county's deal with Fayette County should be completed by next spring. The county is working on obtaining 1.5 million gallons a day from Fayette County until Coweta's new reservoir comes on line in 2003.

Hunter also said it might be possible to get water from Atlanta, since Fayette County is hooked up to Atlanta water lines.

"We would have to do a three-party contract," he said.

The county is also pursuing water from Spalding County that should be available in 2002. But in long range planning, Coweta will need more water because of the explosive growth predicted.

Members of the commission and Newnan Utilities both agreed that West Point Lake is the best choice and agreed to start planning for getting cost estimates and determining how the county could obtain the water.