441
59
75
GEORGIA STATE EDITION
Cornella 19
A Supplement to:
Rome 85 27
Athens 441
Atlanta
20
Madison Augusta
85
20
Griffin 1
129
Milledgeville
75
La Grange
Macon
301
185 19
®
16
Dublin
Swainsboro Oak Park
Columbus
Statesboro
341 441 16
Lyons Americus
August 3 2016
Dorchester
341
Cuthbert
75
Albany
84
Douglas Tifton
82
95
82
Blakely
Pearson
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301
1
82
Vol. XVIII • No. 16
Savannah
McRae Cordele
27
27 84
Moultrie
19 319
84
Bainbridge
Valdosta Thomasville
Waycross Brunswick 82
1 441
Your Georgia Connection: Rich Olivier, Atlanta, GA • 1-800-409-1479
100-Year-Old Quarry in Georgia to Serve New Purpose A stunning backdrop surrounds crews in Georgia, as they work to convert a 100-year-old quarry into a water storage facility. the $280 million project calls for the construction of a 5-mi. (8 km), 10-ft. (3 m) diameter tunnel system linking the Chattahoochee river to Atlanta’s Bellwood Quarry — a move that will increase the city’s water supply reserves to more than 30 days and ensure its water sustainability for the next 100 years. “right now, the city of Atlanta has only a three-day supply of raw water on hand,” said Jo Ann Macrina, department of Watershed Management commissioner. “Catastrophes like what happened with the Elk river in 2014 have a real impact on the people who depend on clean, safe drinking
By Cindy Riley
CEG CorrEspondEnt
water every day. should a similar event happen to the Chattahoochee river and impact the city of Atlanta, modest estimates suggest it would cost the local business community $100 million each day. With the world’s busiest passenger airport, numerous Fortune 500 companies and 1.2 million users each and every day, we’re not willing to take the risk.” the city of Atlanta’s raw water system infrastructure forms the foundation and starting point for delivering clean drinking water, along with fire protection service for more than 1 million users of the system. More than a century ago, when Atlanta faced major public health issues with water quality and water availability, the investment in raw water conveyance and storage was the first step in securing a sound future for the area. since then, the investment has been key
Jessica Walker, Department of Watershed Management photo
Phase I construction is scheduled for completion in December 2017 and includes a new pump station, the conversion of the water storage facility, and a 10-ft. (3 m) diameter underground tunnel from the water storage facility to the Hemphill Water Treatment Plant.
to the success of Atlanta’s economy and the health of its citizens. now, there’s a critical need for reliable delivery of clean and safe drinking water to the city and neighboring jurisdictions. Located just a few miles west of downtown Atlanta, Bellwood Quarry is a granite quarry surrounded by acres of wooded land. In early April, 2016, the department of Watershed Management began blasting operations at the site, in preparation for the Water supply program. “one of the main transmission pipes that brings water into the city of Atlanta was installed in the 1890s,” Macrina said. “We’re racing the clock to replace pipes that have been in use long after their lifespans. Certainly, we’ve outlasted the expectancy here. Because we’ll be primarily working with granite, a tunnel makes great sense. We’ll reinforce it with a concrete lining.” As part of a $1.2 billion capital improvement program, the project is being funded through water and sewer rates, as well as a one-cent municipal options sales tax reauthorized by voters in March. the project will increase storage capacity from roughly 525 million gallons of water to 2.4 billion gallons. once the work is complete, Atlanta will lead the country in municipal water reserves. Washington, d.C., for example, only has a 36-hour backup supply of water. phase I construction is scheduled for completion in december 2017 and includes a new pump station, the conversion of the water storage facility, and a 10-ft. diameter underground tunnel from the water storage facility to the Hemphill Water treatment plant. Macrina described the Water supply program as representing a triple bottom line for Atlanta through employment opportunities, environmental protection and economic development. “Mayor Kasim reed recognized the need for reliable delivery of drinking water and redundant water storage in the event of a crisis. through Mayor reed’s vision, this program will address Atlanta’s goal of achieving a sustainable water infrastructure for future generations and flexibility in system operations,” said Macrina. “there’s a saying that ‘where water goes, the economy grows.’Aside from being able to offer stable infrastructure to a thriving business economy, national averages show that for every job created in the water sector, an additional 3.68 jobs are added to the national economy. Additionally, for every $1 spent on infrastructure improvements, the United states generates $6 in returns. “When complete, the tunnel boring machine will be impossible to assemble in one place and then transport. It see BELLWOOD page 2