The latest water project for the Madison County Industrial Development and Building Authority (IDA) is almost complete.
Utility director Steve Shaw told the IDA Aug. 15 that “all pipe work has been completed” on the Hwy. 98, Neese-Commerce Road and Hwy. 29 South project. He said water tests showed the presence of coliform bacteria during a recent water test, so the lines will need to be re-sterilized and a pressure test performed before they are operational. He said the re-testing should take place this week.
Shaw said there should be some Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) funds left over from this project, which the IDA plans to use to complete 12,000-feet of water line in the Spratlin Mill – Piedmont Road area.
In another matter, the IDA approved the purchase of new billing software for the water department from Master Meter Systems at a cost of $10,262. The group also agreed to allow Shaw to determine if the department’s current printer can be used with the new software. If it can, Shaw said this will save $1,142 off the bid price.
IDA executive director Marvin White said the IDA has applied to GEFA for $3.5 million in grant/loan funding for 2012. The applications were submitted in April, which was the deadline to apply for next year’s funding. White said Tuesday that $2 million of the applied for funding would be used for the expansion of the Hull-Sanford sewer system. White said the IDA would like to expand the system down Glenn Carrie Road to Hwy. 72 and include residences in that area. Currently, the system serves only commercial customers. He said expanding the system to Hwy. 72 could also encourage business growth in that area.
The remaining $1.5 million would be used to continue to expand water lines in the county, with an eye toward connecting with Franklin County on Hwy. 29 North or with Elbert County on Hwy. 72 East.
The authority heard that 757 water customers were billed in July with 6.4 million gallons of water used. Water usage was down about 100,000 gallons last month, according to Shaw.
The group heard that there has been a water request for Madison Hills off Hwy. 29 South. White told the authority that he and Shaw are looking at cost figures for providing water to the subdivision.
The IDA will hold a budget hearing Sept. 2, at 9 a.m. in the conference room of the old courthouse. A called meeting will be held afterwards to approve the 2012 budget and the millage rate.
