Macon Reporter

Dealing with sewage, wastewater and storm runoff is critical, and the Decatur City Council recently held a study session called "Stormwater and Sanitary Sewer Issues and Policies" to help build awareness around some local projects.

Council members approved $13 million for two proposals: the "Grand/Fairview Sewer Separation Project" for engineering designs and "Ellen/Division Area (West Division Street and North Ellen Avenue) Inflow Infiltration Reduction Project." The money would apply to the budget for 2021 as part of the "Priority Sanitation Sewer Projects" that totals $22 million, according to the Herald & Review. 

"I don't want to spend a dime on things we don't need to spend money on," Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe told the newspaper. "But sewers are one of those basic things that I would put everything else on hold for."

A commonality of sewer upgrades is to segregate untreated stormwater from treated sewage, Deputy City Manager Jon Kindseth was quoted in the Herald & Review. 

The smell often associated with downtown Decatur stems from wastewater that is released from big industrial operations.

"As we continue to separate our sewers and stormwater systems, that should get better over time," Kindseth said.

An Administrative Consent Order to comply with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations was a reason for listing the sanitation project as a priority. The EPA was concerned with parts of the city's sewer system becoming overwhelmed, resulting in flooding.

Upgraded projects to rehabilitate large sewer systems have been happening since 2010, costing taxpayers $23 million. Most of the work to be performed will come from low-interest government loans, but that will still cost the city $1.4 million.

“It is anticipated that at the conclusion of the major projects identified above, that the debt service will be just over $3 million a year,” Wrighton told the council. “It is likely that additional rate increases will be needed in future years to fund the debt service and yearly maintenance and capital projects.”