The City of Cornelia will use a $1.2 million low-interest loan from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to replace the city's current water meters. Hart County is getting $365,000, also for the replacement of water meters,
They are among eleven Georgia communities recently awarded financing totaling $49 million for water, sewer, and wastewater infrastructure improvements by the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority board of directors.
Approved loans:
- Adairsville awarded a $9,273,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan
- Byromville awarded a $305,000 Georgia Fund loan
- Clayton County Water Authority awarded a $25,000,000 CWSRF conservation loan
- Cornelia awarded a $1,200,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) conservation loan
- Davisboro awarded a $4,679,000 DWSRF loan
- Hart County Water Sewer Authority awarded a $365,000 DWSRF conservation loan
- Hogansville awarded an interim $2,581,000 Georgia Fund loan
- Jones County awarded a $1,887,000 CWSRF loan
- Lee County Utilities Authority awarded a $998,000 CWSRF conservation loan
- Resaca awarded an interim $674,000 Georgia Fund loan
- Tybee Island awarded $1,361,000 DWSRF loan and a $720,000 CWSRF loan
Project and loan details:
City of Adairsville
The $9,273,000 CWSRF loan will finance expanding and upgrading the North Wastewater Treatment Plant to 2.0 million gallons per day, and decommissioning the South Wastewater Treatment Plant. This project will address the city’s need to increase wastewater treatment capacity to support industrial, commercial, and residential growth. The city will pay 2.70 percent interest on the 30-year loan.
Town of Byromville
The $305,000 Georgia Fund loan will finance the drilling of a new water supply well and rehabilitation of existing water supply wells to restore reliable drinking water to the residents of the community. The existing wells will be rehabilitated to provide water supply while the new well is being completed. The town will pay 0.50 percent interest on the 40-year loan.
Clayton County Water Authority
The $25,000,000 CWSRF conservation loan will finance the rehabilitation of the Flint River relief and outfall sewers and the Jesters Creek East outfall within the W.B. Casey Water Reclamation Facility sewer service area. This project will lessen inflow infiltration in the collection system, reduce wet weather flows to the plant, and decrease pumping costs. The county will pay 0.65 percent interest on the 15-year loan. The loan will finance an eligible energy conservation project, which qualifies for a reduced interest rate.
City of Cornelia
The $1,200,000 DWSRF conservation loan will finance replacing the city’s current water meters with an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system. This project will allow the city to better serve its customers by reading meters more efficiently, more accurate billing, and quickly detecting and fixing leaks. The city will pay a 0.50 percent interest on the 10-year loan. The loan will finance an eligible water conservation project, which qualifies for a reduced interest rate, and includes principal forgiveness up to $480,000, if all funds are drawn.
City of Davisboro
The $4,679,000 DWSRF loan will finance the expansion of the Davisboro Land Application System. This project includes replacing the mechanical screen with a larger unit, replacing the existing raw sewage pump station, and installing a new irrigation pump station. This project will also provide the city with additional wastewater capacity for future growth. The city will pay 1.89 percent interest on the 20-year loan, which includes a principal forgiveness of $500,000, if all loan funds are drawn.
Hart County Water Sewer Authority (WSA)
The $365,000 DWSRF conservation loan will finance the replacement of aging water meters with an automatic meter reading (AMR) system. This system will improve water efficiency, water conservation, and reduce operation and maintenance costs. The Hart County WSA will pay 0.50 percent interest on the 5-year loan. The loan will finance an eligible water conservation project, which qualifies for a reduced interest rate, and includes principal forgiveness up to $110,000, if all funds are drawn.
Jones County
The $1,887,000 CWSRF loan will finance the construction of pump stations and the installation of force mains and gravity sewers. This project will provide sewer service to approximately 60 households and an industrial park. Jones County will pay 1.39 percent interest on a 20-year loan, which includes principal forgiveness up to $469,250, if all funds are drawn. The loan received a reduced interest rate because the county is a PlanFirst designated community through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
Lee County Utilities Authority
The $998,000 CWSRF conservation loan will finance the installation of a 350 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system adjacent to the Kinchafoonee Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. This project will provide energy efficiency improvements to the wastewater treatment plant to reduce its environmental impact. Lee County will pay 0.65 percent interest on a 15-year loan. The loan will finance an eligible energy conservation project, which qualifies for a reduced interest rate, and includes principal forgiveness up to $249,375, if all funds are drawn.
Tybee Island
The $1,361,000 DWSRF loan will finance the replacement of water mains that will eliminate asbestos cement water mains and lead-jointed cast water mains in the water distribution system. The city will pay 0.89 percent interest on the 20-year loan.
The $720,000 CWSRF loan will finance the replacement of the ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system at the wastewater treatment plant, which will allow the city to operate more effectively; save money on bulb replacement costs and power costs; and reduce maintenance. The city will pay 0.89 percent interest on the 20-year loan.
Other board actions:
City of Damascus
The city was approved for a $403,000 DWSRF loan in November 2016 to finance the rehabilitation of the city’s existing 100,000 gallon elevated water tank, which includes leak repairs, water main repair or replacement, and repainting the tank. The original interest rate (1.89 percent) did not account for the water conservation activities in the project. The new interest rate on the loan is 1.63 percent.
City of Hogansville
A $2,581,000 Georgia Fund loan will provide interim financing to the city while it seeks permanent financing from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The interim loan will finance repairs and modifications to the city’s water pollution control plant, which will help to eliminate health and safety risks. The city will pay 0.92 percent interest on the 5-year interim loan.
City of Monroe
In March 2009, the city was approved for $4,000,000 Georgia Fund loan. The GEFA board removed a loan condition that required the city to restrict a minimum of $300,000 in a separate bank account for the purpose of satisfying or guaranteeing the GEFA debt.
Town of Resaca
A $674,000 Georgia Fund loan will provide interim financing to the town while it seeks permanent financing from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The interim loan will finance the installation of a new sewer collection system that will extend the existing sewer line along State Road 136 to U.S. 41. This project will add sewer service to commercial properties and residents in the central area of the city. The town will pay 0.92 percent interest on the 5-year interim loan.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2017/1/495388/cornelia-gett-12m-state-loan-for-water-meter-replacement