Pickens County commissioners on July ?, 2025, unanimously authorized the chairman to take steps toward establishing a new, larger connection to the Gilmer County (Gilmore) water system and to prepare a contract to purchase additional water.

The move follows state environmental permitting that the chairman said authorized a withdrawal of 4,000,000 gallons per day from an underground mine source in Gilmer County. The chairman told commissioners the source is “extremely clean” and would require “very minimal treatment,” and that Pickens already has two connection points with Gilmer and this would be a third and much larger connection.

Why it matters: County officials said the connection could immediately yield up to 3 million gallons per day to Pickens and potentially grow to 8 million with additional approvals, offering a regional water source Pickens officials said the county lacks. The board authorized exploration and engineering steps now so preliminary work and negotiations can proceed; a final contract would return to the board for formal approval.

Most important facts first: The chairman said the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) granted the withdrawal for 4,000,000 gallons per day; staff described existing smaller connections on Jones Mountain and Round Top and identified a new, larger connection on Whitestone Road. Commissioners were unanimous in approving a motion to authorize the chairman to “undertake all necessary steps” to pursue the connection and to begin preparing contract terms for additional water purchases once infrastructure and engineering details are determined.

During discussion the chairman emphasized the infrastructure work remaining: engineering designs, points of connection, and negotiations over who pays for pipes and treatment. He told the board the arrangement would require follow-up meetings and could take months to reach a contract phase. He also noted the county must ensure any agreement “is not something that would be a burden or a difficulty on our county residents.”

Board procedure: The authorization was a preliminary, nonbinding step. Commissioners made clear that the board would only approve a binding contract after details and costs are completed; the chairman will return with any proposed contract for formal board action.

What remains unresolved: The chairman said the project will require engineering, additional meetings, and negotiating terms with Gilmer and with Jasper (which currently buys some water from Gilmer through Pickens). No contract price, schedule, or financing plan was presented at the meeting. The chairman said the timeline to reach contract negotiations could be months and emphasized that final approval would come to the board.

Next steps: Staff will proceed with engineering assessments, cost estimates and negotiations; the board received direction to monitor progress and expect formal contract review before any purchase commitments.