Ongoing Water Authority Project Updates, Fluoridation Addressed

By LYDIA BERGLAR
News Editor

The Nov. 19 meeting of the Dade County Water and Sewer Authority covered fire hydrant improvements, a resolved Sand Mountain water issue, the ongoing lead pipe inventory, partnership with Walker County about McLemore, and fluoridation of water.

About a year ago, at the authority’s October meeting, Rodney Ross (New Salem Fire Chief) and Matt Hill (South Dade Fire Chief) presented a list of fire hydrants in South Dade that could use improvements, so the Sentinel asked for an update on this project.

Improvements include things like elevating some hydrants, adding extensions to others, pivoting some for better access, and asking private property owners to move fences that impede access. The complication is a lack of clear jurisdiction because three parties are involved: fire departments, the Water and Sewer Authority, and county government.

Elizabeth Zeller (general manager) reported that a representative from the Georgia Rural Water Association came up to look at the hydrants. Currently, Bobby Cloud (distribution manager) and Zeller are figuring out which needs can be addressed. She said, “The ones that, for example, sit off the road, we can’t move those. Those will just have to remain where they’re at.”

She noted that the water company can’t force property owners to move fences. Eddie Cantrell (chairman) said, “That’s a county or state issue to me. It’d have to be a state regulation.”

Of the jurisdiction question (i.e. which party pays), he said, “We will be getting with Don when he comes into office…because there’s been a constant struggle of who’s responsible.”

At the end of the meeting, Tony Payne (board member) returned to the topic, asking if the Georgia Rural Water representative looked at the entire county. Zeller explained that he only looked at South Dade. Each of the other fire departments would have to bring a list of needs to the authority for their districts to be looked at.

The Sentinel also asked about water on Sand Mountain, due to a number of residents reporting on social media that they had white/cloudy water and were smelling chlorine. Some said they were filtering or boiling water for fear that the water is unsafe.

Zeller explained that after receiving a few scattered reports of air in the lines, the water company flushed the lines. However, reports increased, so Cloud began the process of elimination to identify the problem. The team found an issue with the main line going up Sand Mountain, but it’s since been repaired.

Via email before the meeting, Zeller explained that the area was not and is not under a boil advisory, writing, “Whenever there is a loss of pressure in the mains, a loss of volume in the tanks, or direct or intentional containment, a boil advisory is issued. Sand Mountain did not experience any of these events.”

Of the chlorine smell, she explained that this is from the dechlorination process and does not mean the water is unsafe. When chlorine leaves the water through aeration, customers might smell chlorine.

As she explained via email, “Before the water leaves the plant, it is tested for pH, chlorine residual, and turbidity. On Sand Mountain, DCWSA has ten sampling sites. A coliform and chlorine residual test is conducted on the samples.”

At the meeting, Timothy Fowler (board member) added, “I also called Elizabeth because I live there. I had some cloudy water. I let it run for about a minute, it went away. Ever since it was addressed by Bobby, I haven’t seen any issues.”

Next, the authority turned to the continuing Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) process mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Another round of letters will be going out to the roughly 3,500 customers that have yet to respond to previous mailers. Once customers have had a chance to respond to this batch of letters, the authority will begin making house calls to those that haven’t answered.

Allen Townsend (board member) asked what comes next for those who do have lead in their lines. Zeller said these lines must be replaced. “That’s where we as a water authority will have to make policies about how to go about fixing, helping the customer, and where our responsibility is going to lie with getting this fixed.”

The authority recognized that these replacements (which are mandated by the EPA) could create a financial burden for homeowners.

Zeller noted EPA’s goal for all service lines in the country to be completely lead free by 2037, but EPA hasn’t said if there will be mandates about fixtures inside homes. The last Zeller had heard, it seems like EPA will leave that decision to each state.

Next, Cantrell noted that he has talked with the current chair of the Walker County Board of Commissioners (Shannon Whitfield) and will be meeting with the incoming chair (Angie Teems) about the ongoing process and partnership of providing water to McLemore.

Cantrell reported that in the wake of President Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s statements about ending fluoridation, he’s received several calls. He explained that currently, the authority cannot do anything to end fluoridation; the process must start with the citizens. However, “If president-elect Trump is serious and they pass some federal laws, that’s different, but right now, if anybody asks us any questions, there’s nothing we can do.”

Per the Official Code of Georgia, ten percent of the county’s registered voters must sign a petition in order for a referendum to end fluoridation to be added to a ballot.

Fowler then asked about the line upgrade on Highway 301 from Michaels Road to the state line (per Aug. 2024 meeting). Zeller reported that the water company signed a permit with the state that day (Nov. 19) due to 301 being a state highway, and the engineering plans are in the process of being approved.