Bartow County is moving ahead with a massive water treatment plant project. Water System Director Lamont Kiser gained approval from Bartow County Commissioner Steve Taylor for a contract with Archer Western Construction.
The $97.2 million plant is planned for land along Macedonia Road near Highway 411, close to Neel’s boat launch. Kiser said about five acres of land are dedicated to Redemption Farm.
The water treatment plant will be paid for using a GEFA loan, the Bartow County Water Department Enterprise Fund, and county operations money, Kiser said.
County government officials began planning the project in 2018 and specifically sought land in west Bartow County. Planners are working on designs of the Forsyth County facility but are modifying them to suit this county. Kiser said the new facility will be able to treat millions of gallons of water and can be expanded, giving it utility for decades in Bartow County’s growth.
In other business:
The commissioner approved a text amendment stipulating new rules for data centers, including regulations on noise, lighting, and water use.
The county will take over part of the sewer system from the City of White. Kiser said the county is acquiring the system south of I-75 and Highway 411, including the lift station and 5,000 feet of line. The city asked the county to take it over because the expected development in that area, including the new Aubrey Village, makes it too challenging for the city to manage.
Taylor approved an agreement with the Hines Aubrey Corporation to trade water system improvements the company will make for access to 1.8 million gallons of water.
The commissioner approved the purchase of 2.4 acres of property on Paga Mine Road for a water well. Officials began negotiating with the property owner last year.
The county will increase sewer rate requests for customers in cities including Adairsville, Cartersville, and Emerson, as well as those in Cobb County. Kiser said municipalities are increasing their costs to treat water for the county, so Bartow County must also raise its costs. Sewer rates vary so all could have different final amounts, but most will go up around 2 percent, amounting to a $1 to $2 increase.
Melody Dareing is a freelance writer for publications in the U.S, Canada, the UK and Germany. She is a former news director of Adelphia Channel 4 and WBHF Radio. She is on Facebook, X, YouTube, content on Substack, and has a podcast on Rumble.