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Commissioners approve $140,000 feasibility study on county-run wastewater and sewer systems
Summary
Houston County approved a $140,000 service contract with Carter & Sloop to study the feasibility of the county constructing and operating a wastewater treatment plant and sanitary sewer system; commissioners emphasized the study is exploratory, not a commitment.
The Houston County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a $140,000 contract with Carter and Sloop of Macon to conduct a year-long feasibility study on whether the county should construct and operate a wastewater treatment plant and associated sanitary sewer system.
Commissioner Robinson presented the request and said the study is intended to examine whether a county-operated sewer system could be viable in unserved areas and where such a system would make the most impact: "Let's figure out is there a business case for the county to run a sewer system of some sort," Robinson said. The study will map geographic feasibility, estimate costs, and evaluate whether a service-delivery role for the county is prudent. Funding for the study will come from the Water Department's professional-services budget.
Robinson and other commissioners emphasized the study is not a precommitment to build: if the project proceeds, staff and commissioners said they want to make decisions "with eyes wide open," understanding expense and operational requirements rather than rushing into service provision. The board approved the contract by unanimous vote; the study timeline was estimated at roughly one year.
The study will inform future discussions about sewer service in parts of the county that are currently unserved or are not expected to receive service in the near term and will consider potential industry and economic-development impacts.
