Eight Georgia communities were awarded financing totaling $41,323,000 for water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure improvements by the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) board of directors.
Approved loans:
- Banks County Board of Commissioners awarded a $5,000,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan
- Braselton awarded a $580,000 CWSRF loan
- Clayton County Water Authority awarded a $25,000,000 CWSRF conservation loan
- Lee County Utilities Authority awarded a $2,500,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) conservation loan
- Lula awarded a $1,245,000 CWSRF conservation loan and a $626,000 Georgia Fund loan
- Marshallville awarded a $1,372,000 DWSRF conservation loan
- Richmond Hill awarded a $3,000,000 Georgia Fund loan
- Tifton awarded a $2,000,000 CWSRF loan
Project and loan details:
Banks County Board of Commissioners
The $5,000,000 CWSRF loan will finance the rehabilitation of an existing lift station and the installation of gravity sewer, force main, and lift stations to service the Martin Bridge area. The site selected for a new industrial partner does not currently have access to the county sewer system. This project will extend the county’s sewer system to accommodate the new industrial development and potential for continued economic growth. The county will pay 1.94% interest on the 20-year loan.
Town of Braselton
The $580,000 CWSRF loan will finance improvements to the town’s stormwater system. The town is experiencing drainage issues on Harrison Street that are causing siltation and streambank erosion in Indian Creek. This project will widen and repave Harrison Street, enhance stormwater facilities, improve drainage, reduce siltation, and increase capacity. The town will pay 0.50% interest on the 10-year loan, which is eligible for a reduced interest rate because Braselton is a WaterFirst Community.
Clayton County Water Authority
The $25,000,000 CWSRF conservation loan will finance the rehabilitation of the Flint River outfall, Jesters Creek outfall, and the Riverdale outfall. The authority began a large outfall renewal program in 2014 as a response to a pipe failure on one of its larger sewer lines. This project will continue to ensure the pipes are structurally sound to safely convey wastewater to the water reclamation facilities for treatment and to prevent a significant amount of inflow and infiltration from entering the system. The authority will pay 0.57% interest on the 15-year loan. The loan will finance a conservation project, which qualifies for a reduced interest rate.
Lee County Utilities Authority
The $2,500,000 DWSRF conservation loan will finance replacing manual-read water meters with an automatic meter reading (AMR) system and the installation of new water mains. The project will reduce water loss, increase billing accuracy, and improve meter reading efficiency. The city will pay 0.94% interest on the 20-year loan. The loan will finance a conservation project, which qualifies for a reduced interest rate.
City of Lula
The $1,245,000 CWSRF conservation loan will finance the construction of a gravity sewer line and the elimination of a pump station. This project will extend the city’s gravity sewer system to an existing residential and commercially-zoned corridor along State Route 365. The city will pay 0.94% interest on the 20-year loan. The loan will finance a conservation project, which qualifies for a reduced interest rate.
The $626,000 Georgia Fund loan will finance the renovation of an existing well and the extension of a water line. This project will provide the city with a new water source to handle anticipated population growth. The city will pay 1.94% interest rate on the 20-year loan, which qualifies for a reduced interest rate because the city is a PlanFirst Community.
City of Marshallville
The $1,372,000 DWSRF conservation loan will finance improvements and upgrades at the Marshallville Water Treatment Plant. The plant was constructed in 1926 and updated in the 1970s. This project will increase the reliability of the treatment plant and result in improved water quality. The city will pay 1.76% interest on the 20-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate because a portion of the project is a conservation activity. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $500,000.
City of Richmond Hill
The $3,000,000 Georgia Fund loan will finance the installation of water main, sewer force main, and reuse water main infrastructure. The recent annexation of industrial- and commercially-zoned land from unincorporated Bryan County requires new infrastructure to support current and future development at Belfast Commerce Park. This project will provide a direct route to the city’s sewage system, distribute reclaimed water in other areas of the community, and improve the water quality. The city will pay 1.44% interest on the 20-year loan, which is eligible for a reduced interest rate because Richmond Hill is a WaterFirst Community.
City of Tifton
The $2,000,000 CWSRF loan will finance rehabilitating the city’s water pollution control plant and pump stations. This project will address the most crucial repairs to the system to improve reliability and enhance the treatment process. The city will pay 0.94% interest on the 20-year loan, which is eligible for a reduced interest rate because Tifton is a WaterFirst Community.
Other GEFA board actions:
City of Clarkesville
The board approved a $1,306,000 increase to a $5,088,000 DWSRF interim loan approved in May 2018.
City of Dallas
The board approved a $2,640,000 increase to a $14,480,000 CWSRF loan approved in August 2018.
DeKalb County
The board approved a $3,000,000 increase to a $3,000,000 Georgia Fund loan approved in November 2018.
City of Edison
The board approved an $80,000 Georgia Fund emergency loan authorized by the GEFA executive director. The city experienced a collapse in a sewer main that runs under State Route 216, which caused sewer backups in homes and businesses. This project will rehabilitate the sewer main to prevent further damage and sewerage contamination. The city will pay 2.44% interest on the 20-year loan.
City of Grovetown
The board approved a $1,313,000 increase to a $23,244,100 CWSRF loan approved in May 2016.
City of Jersey
The board approved a $75,000 increase and scope modification to a $750,000 DWSRF loan approved in August 2019.
City of Kingston
The board approved a $1,000,000 Georgia Fund interim loan to replace a DWSRF interim loan approved in May 2019.
City of Lula
The board approved removing special conditions on a $8,580,000 CWSRF loan approved in August 2009.
Additional information:
The CWSRF provides low-interest loans for wastewater and water pollution control infrastructure. These projects conserve and improve water resources and facilitate economic development. The program is jointly funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the state of Georgia.
The DWSRF provides low-interest loans for infrastructure projects that deliver safe, affordable drinking water. These projects conserve and improve water resources and facilitate economic development. The program is jointly funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the state of Georgia.
The Georgia Fund, a state-funded program, provides low-interest loans for water, wastewater, water conservation, and solid waste infrastructure projects. Eligible projects include water and sewer lines, treatment plants, pumping stations, wells, water storage tanks, and water meters. These projects conserve and improve water resources and facilitate economic development.
GEFA offers a reduced interest rate for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at water and wastewater treatment plants, landfills, and municipal solid waste facilities; water conservation projects in the areas of water loss and end-use water efficiency; and nonpoint source pollution control projects.
WaterFirst recognizes local governments for achieving excellence in water resources management. Becoming a WaterFirst Community demonstrates a local government’s commitment to responsible water stewardship for environmental and economic benefits. Communities that earn the WaterFirst designation are eligible for an interest rate reduction.
