Officials discuss county control of sewer

Grovetown officials want to discuss deeding their sewer system over to Columbia County before they make a final decision.

City council members agreed last week to enter into serious discussion with the county about deeding the entire system over.

"It wouldn't hurt us to go into talking with them," Councilman Bruce Stoddard said.

Each member said they don't really want the county to take control of the system, but they said they understand it may be the best thing for the city and its residents.

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"We are not putting all our eggs in one basket," Councilman George James said. "I have thrown every crazy conceivable idea at Wayne Newman. The best we can do is that option and see if it works out for us. If not, we still have the other options."

Grovetown residents just hope whatever decision city council members make, it doesn't cost them a lot of money.

"We appreciate what you do," Rosalee Owens said. "Just save our water bills."

Grovetown leaders are having to look at water and sewer options because their current system has reached its capacity and the city's contract with Columbia County to discharge water into their system will soon be up.

The options have included signing another contract at a higher rate to cover all of the county's infrastructure costs, deed the entire system over to the county, the city could collect tap fees for the county, build another treatment plant, or do nothing at all.

Officials said doing nothing was not an option because the system is slowing the growth of the city. Building a $10 million treatment plant would do no good since there is no natural water source to discharge treated water into. Signing another contract would mean higher bills and the same decision later down the road.

"(Signing the contract) does not guarantee a reserve of space in the county's lines," said Mayor Dennis Trudeau at the meeting.