Fannin County Water Authority Makes Plans for Riverwalk Project

News

The Fannin County Water Authority met on September 16 to discuss the status of the Toccoa Riverwalk Project. The project will provide more water to residents around the area. Currently, plans for the project are under design and it is estimated that construction can begin as early as spring of 2016. In order to pay for the project, the board has applied as a sole sponsor for a $905,000 loan from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority. The loan amount will be the total cost of the project and includes forgiveness of 40%.

 

The Water Authority also discussed the progress of raising USDA loan repayment funds. They need around $12,000 to reach the full repayment amount, which is due in June.

 

Among the equipment discussed was the purchase of a locator. The Water Authority must currently borrow the City of Blue Ridge’s locator. According to Supervisor Ed Hawkins, “[Blue Ridge’s Locator] is about $4,000, so if we break it, we’ve got a $4,000 bag of nothing and that is the reason we decided to get our own.” The Water Authority can use a Special Local Option Sales Tax to pay for the locator. The board decided to research other municipalities’ locators and decide on a locator at a later date.

 

Other Equipment discussed included the new uniforms, which were recently purchased by the water authority. The uniforms are estimated to save the authority about $1800 over 2 years. The authority purchased new pants, shirts, and T-Shirts on September 1 for $446.48 compared to $639.69 for rental cost so far this year.

 

The board gave Ed Hawkins a raise because he recently received his water distribution system operator certification.

 

The board also discussed a jockey pump (which will give more water pressure to residents in the area) on My Mountain. According to Hawkins, the site for the pump has already been prepared. He is waiting for a tap saddle to begin to make a 2 inch tap for a booster pump. The estimated cost to run electricity to the jockey pump from Blue Ridge EMC was $1,500 to $1,800. The board discussed the best way to get the electrical line up the mountain and electrical wiring in the building. The only company to respond to requests for a quote to install electrical wiring in the building was Russell Hatcher Electric. Electrical contractors in the county were contacted, but no quotes were received.

 

The Board also discussed recently disconnected lines and deadlines for grants for their 2016 projects.

 

Thanks to the board’s efforts, hopefully there will be water, water everywhere.

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