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At the Macon Water Authority (MWA), we receive many calls and messages about road conditions, standing water, and drainage concerns throughout Bibb County. While we take pride in maintaining the community’s stormwater system, it’s important to clarify how responsibilities are shared between the MWA and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).

Roads Maintained by GDOT

State Routes and U.S. Highways in Macon-Bibb County are owned and maintained by GDOT. This means roadway issues such as potholes, clogged grates, standing water in travel lanes, or damaged curbs fall under GDOT’s authority.

Examples of major State Routes in Macon-Bibb County include:

  • Eisenhower Parkway (U.S. 80 / SR 22)
  • Pio Nono Avenue (U.S. 41 / SR 11 / SR 49)
  • Riverside Drive / Vineville Avenue (U.S. 23 / SR 87 / SR 19)
  • Gray Highway (U.S. 129 / SR 22 / SR 19)
  • Thomaston Road (SR 74)
  • Mercer University Drive (SR 22 Connector)
  • Hawkinsville Road (U.S. 41 / SR 247)
  • Jeffersonville Road / SR 87 Connector

 

For a complete list of state-maintained roadways, click below.

Macon_Bibb_State_Routes

📞 To report roadway issues on State Routes in Bibb County, call GDOT District 3 at (478) 757-2601.

What MWA Covers

MWA is responsible for the countywide stormwater system outside of GDOT rights-of-way.

This includes:

• Storm drains, pipes, and ditches in neighborhoods and along local roads
• Public retention/detention ponds connected to the county system
• Drainage structures tied into MWA’s stormwater network
• Protection of creeks, streams, and the Ocmulgee River from polluted runoff

In short, when water leaves the roadway and enters the county stormwater system, MWA steps in.

How MWA and GDOT Work Together

Even though GDOT maintains State Routes, MWA coordinates with them when roadway drainage flows into the county network. If you’re not sure who to call:

• Start with MWA Stormwater Division at (478) 464-5600 or through our online Customer Service portal.

• If it’s determined to be a GDOT issue, we will guide you to the correct contact so the problem gets resolved.

Our goal is to be a helpful first point of contact, making sure issues are addressed quickly, even if another agency is responsible.

Other Maintenance Responsibilities

In addition to managing the stormwater system, other public agencies also play a role in keeping our community safe and clean:

MWA: Provides street sweeping of public roads and bridges. This helps keep litter, leaves, and debris out of storm drains and improves overall water quality.

Bibb County Public Works: Maintains dirt roads and cuts vegetation and grass in county rights-of-way.

These services, combined with MWA’s stormwater system maintenance and GDOT’s work on State Routes, ensure that roads, drainage, and rights-of-way across Macon-Bibb are cared for through a shared effort.

Why This Matters

Knowing which agency maintains which part of the system helps ensure:

• Faster response to drainage concerns
• Better coordination between local and state partners
• Reduced frustration for residents and business owners

By working together with GDOT, Bibb County, and the community, we can keep our roads safe, our neighborhoods resilient, and our waterways clean.

 

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Stormwater Fee & Road Maintenance: FAQ 

1. Why do I still pay the $4.99 stormwater fee if GDOT maintains my road?

The fee supports the state-regulated, countywide stormwater system, not just roads. Your property runoff eventually flows into MWA’s stormwater system, even if it first enters a GDOT drain.

 

2. What if a storm drain on Pio Nono (or another State Route) is clogged?

• On the road: GDOT maintains State Route drains.

• Beyond the road: Once the water enters the countywide network, MWA maintains it.

📞 Call GDOT District 3 at (478) 757-2601 for clogged drains on State Routes.

 

3. What if my home is located on a State Route that floods after rainfall?

• Flooding on the pavement: GDOT manages the roadway.

• Flooding in your yard or ditch: Once runoff leaves the roadway and enters the countywide system, MWA steps in.

 

4. What if my yard floods after every rainfall, but it isn’t caused by GDOT or MWA systems?

Some flooding happens on private property due to grading or blocked private drains.

• Homeowners may need a contractor or landscaper to address the issue.

• MWA can inspect and confirm whether the problem involves the public system or is a private issue.

 

5. How can I tell if flooding is caused by the State Route, the drainage ditch, or my yard?

• State Route flooding (GDOT’s responsibility): Water ponds in the street or travel lanes of a State Route, roadside grates are clogged, or multiple neighbors along that State Route experience the same problem.

• Drainage ditch or stormwater system (MWA’s responsibility): Water leaves the roadway but backs up in a ditch or storm drain, overflows instead of moving downstream, or flooding occurs in areas connected to the countywide stormwater system.

• Yard/private property (homeowner’s responsibility): Water collects only on your property, usually due to low spots, poor grading, compacted soil, or private drains not tied into the public system. Neighbors may not have the same issue.

✅ Rule of thumb:

• Flooding on a State Route = GDOT

• Flooding in a ditch or storm drain = MWA

• Flooding only in your yard = private property issue

 

Why This Matters

Knowing which agency maintains which part of the system helps ensure:

• Faster response to drainage concerns
• Better coordination between state and local partners
• Reduced frustration for residents and business owners

By working together with GDOT and the community, we can keep our roads safe, our neighborhoods resilient, and our waterways clean.