The Greene County Board of Commissioners is aware of the discussions surrounding Piedmont Water Company regarding rates charged and quality of services.
The Commissioners recognize the impact these elements have on residents and property owners in Greene County that are served by Piedmont Water Company. The known circumstances and legal options, however, limit intervention by the local government.
Responding to the consistent discussion occurring on the NextDoor social media platform and in some other settings in the community, the County Administration engaged the County’s legal counsel to review the legal options, if any, that may be available to the local government to intervene in either water quality issues, or rates of a private utility provider.
Previous legal reviews have been conducted over the last 20-plus years with prior legal counsels. The most recent legal determination is consistent with the legal conclusion made on the three prior legal reviews, so out of the four different legal counsels Greene County has utilized as the designated County Attorney over the last 20-25 years, all four legal teams have rendered the exact same legal conclusion.
The legal conclusion affirms that Greene County, as the local governmental unit, has no authority to regulate a private water provider with respect to water quality or rates charged. Water quality is regulated by State Law by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, and there is no statutory framework that affords the local government any regulatory authority over the water quality of a private utility company. Likewise, there is no statutory framework that affords the local government to establish some form of a local Public Service Commission or to otherwise regulate rates charged by a private utility company.
Unlike previous legal counsels used by Greene County, the current legal counsel specializes in local government law and only renders legal services to local governments. The legal review in the current inquiry was exhaustive and complete and confirms the legal conclusions the County has previously received on this same issue.
– Contributed by the Greene County Board of Commissioners