Friday, May 17, 2002
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Friday, May 17, 2002 |
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Authority looking at wastewater issues By JANET
McGREGOR
The South Fulton Municipal Water Authority, which meets on a monthly basis, took a few steps forward in some areas and a few steps backward in others. The group concentrated primarily on wastewater treatment issues at its regular meeting. The Authority, formed in April 2000, is working together to address wastewater and water issues for the tri-city area. While each city is working independently on identifying their areas water needs, the group is sharing information and taking a regional approach to solving water and sewage issues. Fairburn has identified 450-650 acres between Deep Creek and Line Creek for a proposed wastewater treatment plant. Fairburn has negotiated an agreement to treat effluence from Tyrone in Fayette County at the plant and is moving forward in discussing a similar arrangement with Palmetto. Recently Union City is tentatively pursuing the possibility with Fairburn regarding the treatment of their excess wastewater. If negotiations are successful, Palmetto's wastewater will be sent to Fairburn, treated and then returned to Palmetto to be discharged into Bear Creek. The Bear Creek facility, which currently treats Palmetto's sewage, will be closed. According to Charles Corbin, who serves as a consultant to the Authority and City Engineer for Union City and Fairburn and Assistant Engineer for Palmetto, the wastewater will be "right below drinking water," suitable for mixing concrete, watering golf courses and similar. As a result of the ongoing negotiations with Union City and Palmetto, the Fairburn treatment center is asking for state approval to increase the capacity from one million gallons per day to two million. Members of the Authority stressed that increasing the treatment capacity would not result in an increase in the amount of plant acreage or the spray area, although the actual facility size may increase. A change in the state's outlook regarding water needs and wastewater treatment has resulted in a delay in determining whether Fairburn and the Authority will need the 450-650 acres originally identified or may be able to scale back the project to only 50 acres. Until recently, the EPD has advocated using the Land Application System (LAS) to treat wastewater. Effluence is sprayed over a large area and slowly seeps into nearby creeks and waterways. Negotiations between the state, Florida and Alabama have the EPD looking more favorably again at direct stream discharge. Direct stream discharge utilizes less land and augments the flow of water into waterways, in particular the Chattahoochee River which provides water to Georgia, Florida and Alabama. However the costs to treat wastewater, which must be at near drinking quality at a minimum, may be substantially higher. With the potential to save substantially on the costs associated with the wastewater plant, the Authority is working with the EPD and U.S. Corps of Army Engineers to determine the acceptable waste load application for Deep Creek. Unfortunately for local landowners, who have been on hold since their property was identified as the potential home for the new treatment plant, the discovery process could take an additional four months. Landowners expressed concern regarding delays in decision-making which has resulted in their inability to sell or improve their property. Union City Mayor Ralph Moore, chairman of the Authority, said he is not insensitive to the needs and concerns of local landowners. Giving the example of the Clayton County Authority and others, he addressed the delays stating, "It is not unusual for authorities to experience delays. The tenacious approval process required by state and Federal authorities is time intensive." He continued, "Our community is better served by looking at future water needs." He indicated the entire South Fulton area would benefit and stressed the need to be proactive in handling natural resources. Corbin took it one step further, praising the group for their foresight. "Atlanta is running out of water. These three cities recognized the problem in the 90s and began moving forward to solve their little piece. It takes leadership and vision to try and tackle tough issues." One landowner, who preferred not to be named, grilled the Authority regarding cost increases resulting from continuing delays. In answer to his questions regarding increases in costs, Bill Johnson with Bank of America, the bond underwriter for the project, admitted an increase of 30 basis points since the group first began working on the project. The Authority is looking at $40 to $50 million in bonds to build a water reservoir and processing plant. Fairburn approved the issuance of $14.3 million in bonds to build a sewage plant in December 2000.
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