The city of Greensboro has been experiencing water leakage woes for some time, enough so that some residents have both filed suit and met with attorneys to advise next steps.
Broken water lines, insufficient help and remedy, and resulting building and road repairs continue without a timeline for completion and specifications requested by Lake Oconee News.
Water is a valuable resource, especially in a lake community where the water is drawn from a treasured asset, Lake Oconee.
The city withdraw permit is 3.3 million gallons per day, but the city’s wastewater treatment facility on Madison Highway can treat only 1.6 million gallons. The water is drawn from the lake and treated for contaminants, fluorinated and disinfected. It is then pumped throughout the city and outlining areas. The city currently has five water tanks, with two holding up to 500,000 gallons each.
Water Treatment Plant Manager Lamar Calloway is a 38-year employee of the city and recently spoke with city council. The city is responsible for the maintenance and care of water infrastructure and the sanitary sewer and disposal systems on all water and sewer lines within Greensboro.
“We can process, according to permits, 1.6 million gallons, but the city averaged about 775,000 gallons for last month,” Calloway said.
A troubling statistic shared was that 30 percent of the water coming out of the plant is unaccounted for, making the city responsible for those costs.
“We know how much water is going to the city,” Calloway said.
Water line leaks account for the unbilled portion, likely coming from a variety of sources, including old pipes and faulty, old meters.
Maria Wayne, a key investor in the city and owner of more than 10 properties, expressed her frustration in not having leaks addressed in a timely fashion to avoid damage.
To date, she said that has not occurred, and her property at 109 Court Street has suffered an underground leak that is wreaking havoc within the building. She also said mold has been a significant problem, and it was discovered recently that the leak is affecting the perimeter of her building. Wayne said she was aware that several busted pipes needed repairs, and currently the intersection of South and Spring streets have been torn up going on six months.
Both Water Department Supervisor Marcus Cunnigham and former Manager Freddie Evans have been contacted. No response was made to current projects, timelines, key projects completed and those awaiting repair. The city currently has 12 employees for the water department, including plant operations.
The city recently reported that over $300,000 of water billings have not been collected from users in the city. It is considering a number of solutions, including American Rescue Act Funds and financial assistance through a local charity.
Erroneous billing occurs throughout the city for the water department, and it hasn’t been the first time the problem has come before the city. A city resident notified Lake Oconee News of faulty billing, saying they received two recent bills that were several thousands of dollars.
Another resident claimed an elderly neighbor was called and notified that a bill of several hundred dollars was unpaid and water would be shut off immediately. The bill was wrong, and the account was up to date.
Evans recently left the city’s water department and joined the Greensboro Police Department as an investigator.