Fayette County has won its legal dispute over a proposed water tank site, but the political fight continues.

Georgia's Supreme Court declared the county is the sole owner of a disputed building site for a new two million-gallon water tank to serve north Fayette, but county officials still aren't sure whether they'll use that site or an alternate one.

Ultimately the decision lies with the County Commission.

In response to a ground swell of complaints from residents of the New Hope area, officials have been evaluating other possible sites, but those sites "would not solve the pressure problems and other assorted issues in that area," said county administrator Billy Beckett.

A 500,000-gallon tank on Ga. Highway 92 at Lee's Mill Road is currently serving two-thirds of Fayette, which includes almost all of the county's unincorporated areas, according to information presented at an informational meeting with New Hope residents last September. The tank's coverage area includes the city of Fayetteville, which can buy water from the county under an agreement between the two governments.

County water officials want to build the new tank right next to the old one, on the seven tenths acre that has been in dispute (see related story). But more than 200 residents showed up at meetings last year to protest that site, saying even if the county has won its dispute, the site is a poor choice.

Tim Rawlins, who lives nearby, said the county's 500,000-gallon water tank already situated at the intersection is enough of an eyesore for the neighborhood. The additional two million-gallon tank planned for the disputed site will be too much, he said. "I think one's enough. I have no problem with them needing water. Just put it somewhere else."

"You would think you would put something like a water tower in a more commercial place," said another resident during a protest meeting. "If we're going to look like an industrial park, maybe we should rezone our property," said another.

Residents attended County Commission meetings to air their feelings last year, and the commission directed officials to study alternative sites. Of five sites considered, residents said they prefer the area around the Hwy. 92/Westbridge Road intersection, a commercial area.

Ga. Highway 74 sites also were suggested, but county administrator Beckett said that area hasn't sparked much interest among officials.

None of the sites will solve all of the problems, he said, but officials also said during informational meetings that the Lee's Mill site is not a final answer either.

The county currently has a one million-gallon tank and a 250,000-gallon tank in Peachtree City, plus a 500,000-gallon tank at Crabapple Road and Ga. Highway 74, and a 75,000-gallon tank that serves Brooks, said Tony Parrott, water system director.

There are long-range plans to build two more water tanks in south Fayette, but the county still won't have enough storage, he said.

"We can't get ahead," said Parrott.

Water systems usually try to store enough water to supply an average day's use, said Parrott. Fayette's average use is about 7 million gallons a day, he said, and peak usage shoots up to as much as 14 mgd. The current 2.75 million gallons of storage falls far short, and adding the two million-gallon tank in north Fayette won't completely solve the problem, he said.

The need for the new tank is critical to keep pressure up throughout the system, he said, and also just to be sure there is water for drinking and bathing if there's a power outage. "The power went off at the [water treatment] plant July 16 and we lost pressure for 45 minutes," he said. "A half million gallons doesn't last long at 8 in the morning anymore."