The Flowery Branch City Council voted on several measures Thursday night that aim to assist with the city’s current water and wastewater treatment woes.
Flowery Branch has been near capacity in its existing wastewater treatment plant. The city council voted unanimously to reject facility expansion plans on December 15 due to inflated bids. Designs have been in the works since 2017 but came in roughly $30 million over budget. On the same night in December, the council voted to begin the process of appointing a construction manager who will facilitate contact between the drafting engineers and the city council. Their hope is to strengthen communication throughout the design process of the treatment plant expansion.
The council voted on Thursday night to consult with ESG Engineering, Inc. in creating the request for qualifications for the construction manager.
In the meantime, Flowery Branch is still needing to remedy its wastewater treatment capacity issues. The council voted in unanimous approval Thursday night for a 5-year intergovernmental agreement between Flowery Branch and Gainesville, wherein Gainesville would assist in treating up to 400,000 gallons of wastewater per day.
City Manager Tonya Parrish said having a connection with Gainesville will bring peace of mind.
“To begin with, I don't expect that we'll use that much,” Parrish said. “But just knowing that that's available, should we need it in the future is fantastic.”
City council members praised Parrish’s work in facilitating the agreement with Gainesville and ensuring the projects continue to move forward. Parrish said she's hopeful for the future of Flowery Branch when it comes to water treatment and availability.
“It will hopefully allow us, through my rose-colored glasses, if the interim improvements that we're doing at the plant right now, work as we think they're going to work,” Parrish said. “And if we start construction of this line to Gainesville, I am hopeful that we can recommend to council that we can open back up for business, maybe in the late spring. And issue sewer taps again.”
Along with Gainesville’s help, Flowery Branch will also be receiving assistance from the previous Water/Wastewater Director Jimmy Dean. While Dean recently retired from the position, he has agreed to be brought on as a consulting contractor as the treatment facility expansion gets underway. Dean has over 24 years of experience in water management and is planning to dedicate two to three days a week to help with the expansion project.
In conjunction with wastewater matters being addressed in Thursday’s meeting, the city council also voted to approve the $445,000 purchase of a piece of land on Atlanta Highway with two existing water wells. On August 4, 2022, the council passed a resolution notifying the State of Georgia of its intent to purchase the land in order to bolster the Flowery Branch water supply.
The city currently operates three wells. One well produces 16,000 gallons per day, which is inadequate for the growing population. The other two wells produce 131,000 and 175,000 gallons per day. Reports claim that Flowery Branch will need between 450,000 and 500,000 gallons per day in the future. Officials state the purchase of two additional wells on Atlanta Highway will satisfy that need.
The next Flowery Branch City Council meeting will take place on January 19 at 6:00 p.m.
