Georgia lawmakers set to focus on private water systems

ATLANTA — The role private water systems can and should play in meeting the demands of Georgia’s growing population will be the focus of a legislative study committee that will begin meeting next week.

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 clear the way for 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,” state 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 not available or — in some cases — is extremely expensive is being felt in other areas besides the Georgia coast.

Residents near Lake Oconee have complained about high water rates. In fact, Rep. Trey Rhodes, R-Greensboro, whose House district includes the Lake Oconee area, will serve as the study committee’s chairman.

Martha Revolo, associate director of governmental affairs for the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, said private water systems are a particularly attractive option in fast-growing rural areas of Georgia, where population increase is outstripping public water supplies.

“We’re having a lot of housing issues … especially in rural areas,” she said. “We need the infrastructure, and it takes three to five years to have a fully implemented water plan for a county or region.”

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 No. 1 concern, setting a precedent for the rest of the state where industries could come in and say, ‘We don’t need local consent,’ ” Revolo said.

During the debate on the bill, legislative Democrats argued that letting private water systems start serving communities along or near the Georgia coast would hamstring local governments’ 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 having to drink salty water,” Rep. Debbie Buckner, D-Junction City, who voted against Stephens’ bill, said. “A private company could come in and drill a well and upset the apple cart.”

But Buckner said she welcomes the study committee as an opportunity to learn how many private water companies exist across Georgia and whether they have to abide by the same rules as public water utilities.

“If we’re going to be the No. 1 place to do business, we have to take care of our natural resources,” Buckner, who will serve on the committee, said. “[Water] is a finite resource. We have to be very careful about it.”

Special Photo