Forsyth County's new lift station fully operational

CUMMING -- About 1 million gallons of wastewater a day now flow through Forsyth County's new Big Creek Lift Station and Force Main project on McGinnis Ferry Road.

County officials say the project, which was designed by Atkins North America and Hayes/James, cost about $7 million and came in about $200,000 under budget. Work on the project took about 18 months to complete.

It was built with funds from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) and includes a diversion structure to divert wastewater that previously flowed to Fulton County for treatment.

The county has been sending some of its wastewater to Fulton County for treatment, but the new lift station will send it directly to the Fowler Wastewater Reclamation Facility instead. County officials say treating the wastewater in Forsyth County will save taxpayers about $1 million per year.

Director of Water and Sewer Tim Perkins said, not only is it more cost effective for the county to treat its own wastewater, but it will allow it to increase its reuse water.

The county has an active water reuse program serving parks, schools, golf courses and contractors.

The new lift station has an initial pumping capacity of approximately 4 mgd and can be improved to a capacity of more than 6 mgd.