Piedmont Water’s new water treatment plant serving the Reynolds Water System has been approved for startup by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
Construction started on the estimated $15 million facility in October 2019. Testing of the water began on June 8 of this year, and Manny Patel, Drinking Water Program Manager for the Georgia EPD, says they did not find any issues with the water quality standards.
“We have reviewed the test results and have approved the results,” Patel wrote in an email to the Lake Oconee News Wednesday. “We are in the process of drafting a drinking water permit to operate. Upon issuance, the facility can start sending water to the distribution system.”
The new treatment plant will pull up to two million gallons of water each day from Lake Oconee. For the Reynolds Water system, it will replace ground water taken from 22 wells.
“We’re excited to finally be here,” Piedmont Water President Adam Shaifer told the Lake Oconee News Wednesday. “Everybody’s ready to get it started.”
Shaifer said they intend to communicate start-up plans to the affected customers and start pumping “as soon as possible.”
The Reynolds Water System generally covers an area from Reynolds Lake Oconee to Lake Oconee Academy in Greene County. Del Webb, The Landing, Vintage Club, as well as business and commercial properties such as St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital.
Last month, the company raised its rates to members of the Piedmont Water System in anticipation of the approval.