Plans to expand Blairsville’s sewer service approximately 2.5 miles east of city limits on Georgia 515 were discussed during a Feb. 20 called meeting at City Hall.
Environmental Engineer Lacey Tucker of Engineering Management, Inc., presented the findings of a recent environmental study, and between her and Mayor Robert “Buddy” Moore, the two offered further insight into the project, which is still in its planning stage.
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Although the plans have been in the works for several years, the city has finally found the funding to complete the expansion. Business owners along the Young Harris Highway have expressed problems with their septic systems, and Tucker said there have been complaints about the smell of sewage becoming apparent after rain.
The expansion was officially accepted at a city meeting in October, allowing for an environmental study to take stock of the surrounding area. Running approximately from Blairsville Dentistry to Blairsville Cinema on Georgia 515, the costs to expand will total $5 million. Grants will pay for $3 million of that, leaving $2 million to be covered by a 20-year Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) loan.
That means sewer bills will likely go up to help pay off the loan, and while projections are still mostly estimations at this point, rates are not anticipated to go up more than $4 or $5 a month. Tucker noted that, in the long run, costs may also change due to city expansion.
“If need be, other things can be done, like a rate study, which would change how the bills are dispersed,” explained Tucker, adding that businesses may pay higher rates than households.
Additionally, more development means that more people may move along the route of the planned expansion, meaning that costs would be spread out among more people. Further, the project is expected to benefit Butternut Creek.
The environmental report noted bacterial and sediment findings in the water, and if more people populate the area, more private septic systems would follow, leading to a greater risk of sewage leaking into Butternut. When the city’s sewer expansion is in place, future homeowners and businesses would be able to “hook on” to the existing pipes.
Last month, the Blairsville City Council voted to revise its service delivery strategy to account for the expansion.
Now, the revision must be approved by the county commissioner, followed by engineer procurement selection; the acquisition of additional funding through GEFA; the completion of designs; a bidding process; and then choosing a construction company.
Construction is not slated to begin for a year or more, and when groundbreaking does start, it will likely last another year. Environmental restrictions, such as pausing work to ensure the safety of local protected species, may impact construction time.
This is assuming all goes to plan; archaeological findings during the study yielded some Native American artifacts, and if the site turns out to be of cultural significance, the sewer expansion may not happen in favor of leaving the ground undisturbed.
Tucker left a physical copy of the environmental report at City Hall so anyone can take a look at the details of the study, and all questions are encouraged to be directed to Mayor Moore at 706-745-2000.
