A legislative study committee that begins meeting next week will focus on the role private water systems can and should play in meeting the demands of Georgia’s growing population.
Residents near Lake Oconee have complained about high water rates, and Trey Rhodes (R-Greensboro), whose House district includes the Lake Oconee area, will chair the study committee.
Private water systems became an issue earlier this year when the Republican-controlled General Assembly voted largely along party lines to allow private utilities to provide water in areas where no public service can be provided within 18 months.
Three Republicans from the Georgia coast introduced House Bill 1146 to allow a private company to provide water to new homes being built in Bryan County for workers at the massive Hyundai electric vehicle manufacturing plant under construction west of Savannah.
“If cities or counties can’t or won’t supply water to an area; if someone does have the capacity in a private system, they ought to be able to come in and supply water,” Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah), the bill’s chief sponsor, said.
The need for private water systems to step in where public water service is unavailable or – in some cases – is extremely expensive is being felt in other areas beyond the Georgia coast.
Martha Revolo, associate director of governmental affairs for the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG), said private water systems are a particularly attractive option in fast-growing rural areas where population growth is outpacing public water supplies.
“We need the infrastructure, and it takes three to five years to have a fully implemented water plan for a county or region,” Revolo said.
However, the ACCG opposed Stephens’ bill because it allows private water systems to operate in an area without the approval of the local government.
“Bypassing local government was our number-one concern, setting a precedent for the rest of the state where industries could come in and say, ‘We don’t need local consent,’” she added.
During the bill's debate, legislative Democrats argued that letting private water systems start serving communities along or near the Georgia coast would hamstring a local government’s ability to manage limited water resources. Saltwater intrusion has long been a concern of officials in coastal counties.
“We’ve worked for years to try to keep the people of Savannah from drinking salty water,” said Rep. Debbie Buckner (D-Junction City), who voted against Stephens’ bill. “A private company could come in and drill a well and upset the apple cart.”
But Buckner said she welcomes the study committee's opportunity to learn how many private water companies exist in Georgia and whether they must abide by the same rules as public water utilities.
“If we’re going to be the number one place to do business, we have to take care of our natural resources,” said Buckner, who will serve on the committee. “[Water] is a finite resource. We have to be very careful about it.”