Public Hearing: YES ☐ NO ☒ Department: Watershed Management
SUBJECT:
Title
Commission District(s): All
Watershed Management Capital Improvement Plan for 2026 through 2035
Body
Information Contact: Reginald Wells
Phone Number: 770-414-6240
PURPOSE:
To consider approving the Department of Watershed Management (DWM) Capital Improvement Plan for the years 2026 through 2035 (CIP 2026).
NEED/IMPACT:
The need to sustain a safe drinking water supply and distribution system and to adequately collect, convey, and treat wastewater to protect the County’s watersheds requires that the County’s water and wastewater infrastructure be properly maintained, operated, and managed. In addition, the growth and development of the County as well as the importance of protecting human health and the environment necessitates the need to continuously extend and renew the water and wastewater infrastructure.
Through a multi-year effort of planning and prioritization by DWM, a new Capital Improvement Plan was developed and accepted by the Board of Commissioners in February 2021. The Plan was developed based on newly developed computer-based hydraulic models of both the water and wastewater systems, the recently completed Comprehensive Water and Wastewater Master Plans through 2050, and CIP Prioritization Process. In March 2025, the Board of Commissioners approved the CIP for 2025 through 2034 (CIP 2024) which included updated project needs and costs throughout the system since 2021.
Since acceptance of CIP 2024, DWM has seen additional project needs and increased costs throughout the water and wastewater systems, including additional requirements of the wastewater Consent Decree, and completed an updated prioritization process to develop the CIP for 2026 through 2035 (CIP 2026).
The CIP 2026 includes projects throughout Watershed Management’s systems including at the Scott Candler Water Treatment Plant, the water distribution system, wastewater collection system (including projects associated with the Consent Decree), at the Snapfinger and Pole Bridge Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plants as well as ongoing costs such as intergovernmental agreements, emergency and annual contracts. Approximately 1/3rd of the CIP 2026 program is for projects contained in the Consent Decree.
The proposed resolution has been approved as to form by the Law Department.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact in adopting DWM’s CIP 2026 program. However, the implementation of this program will have fiscal impacts. DWM and Finance Departments will evaluate all revenue all available funding options, including the use of multiple funding sources such as low interest Federal and State loans, revenue bonds and County Renewal & Extension fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
To approve the resolution and authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute all necessary documents...