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Dawson Park engineering under way; county details LAS decommissioning and pump-station work
Summary
County engineers are preparing grading bids for Dawson Park and say the LAS (land application site) will be decommissioned by redirecting sewer flows to new pump stations, draining ponds, removing sludge under EPD oversight; IDA pledged $4 million for Dawson Park.
County officials provided an update on Dawson Park engineering and explained the decommissioning steps for the former land application site (LAS) at a Feb. 10 town hall.
Unidentified Speaker 1 said the county is pursuing full-site grading to establish pads, parking and road infrastructure so future buildings (including a gym) can be added as funding allows. "We're hoping still hoping we can go to bid on the entire grading the grading for the entire site, which will give us the bedrock for all the parking, the road infrastructure in, pad ready for all the future buildings, including the gym," Unidentified Speaker 1 said.
On the LAS decommissioning, Unidentified Speaker 1 described redirecting sewer flows to newly constructed pump stations and connecting new lines; once flows are rerouted, the county will "decommission the ponds," lower water levels, remove sludge and dispose of thick liners and solids under the direction of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD). "The new pump station is being constructed. The lines are being laid in. Once that's complete, then we'll start switching the flows up inbound, and we'll decommission the ponds," Unidentified Speaker 1 said.
Tony Lathrop (Old Barn at Shoals Road) asked whether the LAS remains actively used; Unidentified Speaker 1 said it is a low-volume flow now and confirmed the decommissioning process is underway with testing and disposal to be overseen by EPD. The county described the cost drivers for decommissioning as new pump stations and piping to handle redirected flows and removal and disposal of pond solids.
The Industrial Development Authority of Oconee County has agreed to contribute $4,000,000 to Dawson Park, the county said, which officials framed as helping advance choices such as artificial turf for athletic fields.
Why it matters: the LAS decommissioning is a required step before converting the site to recreational use; pump-station construction and sludge disposal are capital costs that affect project timeline and budget.
Next steps: county staff said pump stations and lines are under construction and that subsequent switching of flows, pond draining and EPD-directed testing and disposal will follow; no final project completion date was stated at the town hall.
