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Newton County outlines $86 million phase to expand Cornish Creek water plant to 39.5 MGD
Summary
County and consultant teams presented plans to expand Cornish Creek Water Treatment Plant from 25 MGD to a 39.5 MGD design (expandable to 55 MGD), including pre‑ozone and ceramic membrane filtration; package three was estimated at $86 million and uses $80 million in ARPA funds plus potential loans.
Newton County officials and the project team presented detailed engineering and financing plans on March 3 for major upgrades at the Cornish Creek Water Treatment Plant, part of a multi‑year program to meet projected county water demand through 2075.
Project manager Brian Rugs (Arcadis/Reeves Young team) told the board the Phase 2/3 design increases plant capacity from 25 million gallons per day (MGD) to a 39.5 MGD design (average flow 32 MGD, minimum 12 MGD) and is scalable to a 55 MGD peak. Package three — described as the membrane building, chemical tank farm and pre‑treatment basins — carries a cost estimate of roughly $86 million. The team described treatment upgrades that include pre‑ozonation to reduce taste‑and‑odor and oxidize compounds, ceramic membrane filtration to reduce filter footprint and backwash frequency, and new clear wells and a high‑service pump station.
Funding discussion: presenters said the county has $80 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds available for the project and is evaluating other financing tools such as GIFA/WIFIA loans or bond financing. A third‑party rate analysis has been completed and county and municipal partners have been briefed on debt‑service approaches for future capacity growth.
Schedule and stage: the project team reported a multi‑year schedule with package‑by‑package construction already under way; the membrane startup is planned for 2028 and overall substantial completion targeted for March 2029. The team said a 2‑million‑gallon packaged treatment plant on site is being used to provide operators training and to reduce near‑term risk during construction.
Commissioner questions focused on demand drivers, regional coordination, whether future reservoirs would still be needed, and the timeline for completion. Project officials said the county’s water system plan to 2075 underpins the design and that the package schedule reflects long lead times for major treatment systems.
Why it matters: the plan aims to secure long‑term potable water capacity for anticipated regional growth and economic development; it includes large capital commitments and will affect water rates and regional infrastructure planning.
What’s next: the project will proceed through the procurement and permitting steps as scheduled; financing details will be finalized and rate impacts communicated to partners and ratepayers.
