The Macon Water Authority
790 Second Street • Macon, GA 31202-0108 • (478) 464-5600
MWA Asked to Create Stormwater Utility
Jun 17, 2019 by Chris Wood, Ph.D.
Macon-Bibb County Government is asking the Macon Water Authority to create a comprehensive Stormwater Program and Utility.
Since 2008, the MWA has provided technical support and program management services to Macon-Bibb County Government for projects to rehabilitate portions of the local stormwater infrastructure.
More than a decade later, the consolidated government is asking the Authority to create a comprehensive Stormwater Program and Utility, with the autonomy to establish utility fees for services provided, to run day-to-day operations, and to invest in long-term capital projects to meet the needs of the community.
In April, the two sides began negotiations that could culminate in an intergovernmental agreement that turns the full-time management of stormwater programming over to the MWA.
One reason Macon-Bibb County appears to be seeking the MWA’s assistance is due to notification from U.S. EPA of 21 possible violations of the Clean Water Act as it relates to stormwater and Macon-Bibb County’s National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit.
In addition, Commissioners have noted in the past that the MWA is experienced in handling stormwater related issues and projects, with expertise that includes compliance with NPDES permitting. The Authority maintains its own NPDES permits for the operation of its wastewater collection and conveyance system and treatment facilities.
Whether the proposed intergovernmental agreement takes shape or not, one thing is for certain according to officials on both sides – the stormwater infrastructure needs in Macon-Bibb County far outweigh the current source(s) of funding, even with dollars allocated from the most recent SPLOST passed in November of 2016.
Media contact:
Chris Wood, Ph.D.
P: 770-757-1681
E: chris@jwapr.com
Tagged: stormwater utility, mwa, macon water authority, maconbibb county commission