ATLANTA - The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) recently awarded seven local governments in north Georgia a total of nearly $5 million in federal loans for water, sewer and wastewater infrastructure improvements.
In our area, Cleveland, Dawsonville, Hartwell, Maysville, the Fannin County Water Authority and Lumpkin County Water and Sewerage Authority were awarded the loans.
The loans are split into two categories, Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loans.
The CWSRF low-interest loans are to fund wastewater infrastructure and water pollution control projects. The DWSRF loans are also low-interest and defined to fund water infrastructure projects that deliver safe, affordable drinking water.
The local loans are part of $14.5 million going to 13 Georgia communities, the latest round of financing approved by the GEFA board of directors.
Projects details for local municipalities, according to GEFA:
Baldwin
The $540,000 DWSRF loan will finance replacing 1,900 water meters with an automatic meter reading (AMR) system, including software and meter reading equipment. The project will ensure more accurate meter reading data, and reduce revenue loss and water loss in the system, as well as manpower and fuel consumption. Baldwin will pay 0.50 percent interest on the 10-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate because it’s an eligible water conservation project, and up to $216,000 in principal forgiveness, if all loan funds are drawn.
Cleveland
The $478,055 CWSRF loan will finance adding 4,200 linear feet of 8-inch gravity sewer line, decommissioning an existing sewer pump station and converting it into a manhole, and obtaining necessary easements. The project will provide service to residential and commercial customers relying solely on septic systems. The city will pay 2.03 percent interest on the 20-year loan.
Dawsonville
The $445,500 CWSRF loan finance constructing an additional 800,000 gallon aeration pond to operate in series between the city’s existing aeration pond, and the holding pond for the city’s land application system. The project will improve the city’s wastewater effluent quality. The city will pay 2.03 percent interest on the 20-year loan.
Hartwell
The $1,000,000 CWSRF loan will finance updating the filter system at the city’s wastewater treatment plant. The project will allow the plant to more efficiently meet wastewater discharge permit limits. The city will pay 1.03 percent interest on the 20-year loan, which is eligible for a reduced interest rate since Hartwell is designated as a WaterFirst Community by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. The loan is eligible for $196,000 in principal forgiveness, if all loan funds are drawn.
Maysville
The $795,000 DWSRF loan will finance replacing an additional 15,600 linear feet of waterlines, fire hydrants, and additional automatic meter reading (AMR) system meters. Maysville will pay 1.03 percent interest on the 20-year loan, which qualifies for a reduced interest rate because it’s an eligible water conservation project. This is an increase to a $1,350,000 loan approved by the GEFA board in May 2015.
Fannin County Water Authority
The $905,000 DWSRF loan will finance installing new water lines in two areas of the county currently served by private wells. The water system improvements will consist of approximately 18,500 linear feet of water distribution mains, hydrant and valve installations, and other appurtenances. The Fannin County Water Authority will pay 2.03 percent interest on the 20-year loan, which includes principal forgiveness of up to $362,000, if all loan funds are drawn.
Lumpkin County Water & Sewerage Authority
The $750,000 DWSRF loan will constructing approximately 12,600 linear feet of 12-inch ductile iron water line and appurtenances along Auraria Road and Georgia Highway 400. The project will address possible water quality issues and system redundancy by interconnecting existing water lines. The Lumpkin County Water & Sewerage Authority will pay 0.52 percent interest on the 10-year loan, which includes principal forgiveness of up to $300,000, if all loan funds are drawn.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/11/348309/seven-local-governments-finance-nearly-5-million-for-watersewer-related-projects