Toccoa officials, commissioners discuss water issues

In recent work sessions and staff meetings and commission meetings, the issue of water – how much of it the city needs, how much the city pays for it, how much the city charges for it, and how the city can continue to process, store and deliver it – has been a topic of much discussion. 

WNEG News sat down with acting City Manager Freda Wheeler yesterday get an update on three main water topics of recent concern: an increase in the cost Georgia Power charges for the city’s water withdrawals from Lake Yonah, a recent request from Banks County for a potentially significant increase in the amount of water they purchase from the city, and the upgrades, and possible replacement, of water distribution lines and the city’s water treatment plant.

First addressing the Georgia Power rate hike on water withdrawals, Wheeler said Toccoa has normally paid between $6,000 and $7,000 for our withdrawal permit of 6 MGD, or 6 million gallons per day, but explained that the bill has recently jumped to $167,000.

She said the city has the option to release our 6 MGD Lake Yonah withdrawal permit, since we use only a fraction of that reserved amount of water, but it is unlikely we could ever increase our limit again if we do so, and commissioners and staff are working to adjust the budget to cover the increase.

Toccoa has worked for many years to position itself as a regional water supplier, an effort that is fiscally beneficial for the city. Banks County, which currently purchases water from Toccoa, has approached the city with a potential request for a significant increase in the amount of water they purchase.

Supplying Banks County with the additional capacity they requested would be well within the possibility of Toccoa’s 6 MGD withdrawal from Lake Yonah, but would require upgrades to the water distribution lines, and will add to the eventual need for significant upgrades, or a complete replacement of the city’s water treatment plant, Wheeler said.

Wheeler explained that the negotiations with Banks County regarding an increase in their water supply is in the early stages. 

WNEG News will continue to monitor this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.