The city of Fairburn moved a step closer last Friday to building its own wastewater treatment plant.

The city approved issuing $14.3 million in bonds to build the plant, said City Administrator Tony Cox.

"The plant will be one [million gallons per day] and we hope to begin construction in the fall if permitting goes smoothly," said Cox. "This is Fairburn's only plant which will serve areas south of the ridge that the CSX rail line marks. The rest of the city will continue to be served under contract by Fulton County," Cox said.

Additionally, Fairburn will provide wastewater treatment capacity for the town of Tyrone through Fulton County until its new wastewater treatment plant is built.

The contract stipulates that Tyrone can purchase 250,000 gallons of daily capacity until the plant is built.

Tyrone will pay Fairburn the wholesale rate that Fairburn pays Fulton County, plus a 15 percent premium charge.

Fairburn will supply Fulton County a $4 million performance bond to compensate the county in case Fairburn does not build its own treatment facility. Tyrone will split the cost of the bond.

After Fairburn builds its plant, Tyrone will pay the city on a monthly basis, based on Fairburn's operation and maintenance municipal rate.

Fairburn is building the plant to provide sewerage to residents and businesses to the east of U.S. Highway 29 to the the Tyrone town limits.

In order to induce Fairburn to build the plant, Tyrone agrees to pay the city $570,000 within 30 days of completion of the contract.

Tyrone will receive a credit that will be prorated over the 30 years of the contract.

Tyrone will be responsible for the installation of all sewer lines installed in unincorporated Fayette County, Fulton County, Fairburn or Tyrone that is necessary to complete the agreement.

Tyrone will be solely responsible for the maintenance and operation of the sewer collection system.

If Fairburn decides to expand its wastewater treament plant, it will notify Tyrone and Tyrone will have the option of purchasing more capacity.