Macon County, Georgia, Eyes Joining Water Supplies with Surrounding Counties

Macon County is eyeing alternative water sources for the future due to the drought that the area has experienced in recent months. Discussions are being held to determine the feasibility of connecting the cities of Lafayette and Red Boiling Springs to different water districts in the area. This would allow them to utilize different water supplies during drought or high use conditions, and hopefully help them to keep from having to impose stringent restrictions such as residents have seen lately in the future.

One of the areas that they are looking at for connecting their water lines is Hartsville, Tennessee. This water would be supplied by the Cumberland River, which would allow them the potential of tapping into a currently unavailable water supply when the area was hit by drought or other problems causing water shortages. While river water is a little more expensive to process, the cost to the residents would not be nearly as bad as the restrictions that they currently face. The current restrictions include not washing cars, watering crops or gardens, watering livestock or filling swimming pools. Residents have also been asked to voluntarily curtail the length of their showers, to turn off the water when brushing teeth or washing dishes, and to only flush their commodes when necessary.

Another alternative being explored is to tap into the water lines servicing Westmoreland, TN in the western part of the county. This of course would have to be approved by both the Lafayette and Westmoreland city councils in order for it to become a reality.

Macon County is currently looking at the cost of what both projects would be, and estimates that it would take several thousand dollars to make these projects a reality. However, I am sure if customers of the utility districts were asked they would gladly absorb part of the cost of these measures in order to get out from under the strict restrictions currently in place, and possibly even avoid fines if they violate the current restrictions.

Macon County may be on the right track to helping to solve future issues by joining forces with other water departments in the area in order to supply their customers with a larger supply of water in future shortages. While these would not be quick fixes, it would take years to tie into both of the other areas supply lines, one would definitely have to credit the current county leadership for taking the opportunity to look at the problems the community is facing today, and see how they could be avoided for future generations.