Georgetown City Council Approves Major Water Agreement

News Summary

In a critical meeting on December 30, the Georgetown City Council approved a 30-year water purchase agreement with GateHouse Water LLC. The deal secures 18,500 acre-feet of water annually from the Simsboro Aquifer to address the needs of its growing population, ensuring sufficient supply and preventing future shortages. This important step includes developing new groundwater wells and a 36-mile pipeline, demonstrating a proactive approach to water management for the city’s 74,000 customers, including those living outside city limits.

Georgetown City Council Takes Bold Steps to Secure Water Future

In a decisive move to address the water needs of its rapidly growing population, the Georgetown City Council held a special meeting on December 30. During this meeting, they made a significant decision to approve a 30-year water purchase agreement with GateHouse Water LLC. This agreement is designed to ensure the city can meet the increasing demand for water and manage potential shortages in the future.

Massive Water Purchase Sealed

The new agreement involves purchasing an impressive 18,500 acre-feet of water annually, which translates to about 6 billion gallons of water every year. This substantial quantity of water will primarily be drawn from the Simsboro Aquifer located in Lee County. With Georgetown currently serving around 74,000 water customers, it’s vital that the city secures adequate supply to keep all residents hydrated and happy.

Meeting the Needs of a Growing Community

It’s important to note that nearly 40% of Georgetown’s water customers actually live outside the city limits, which adds an extra layer of complexity to the city’s water supply challenges. A city-commissioned report raised concerns that without new water sources, the city could face potential water supply shortages as soon as 2030. The newly approved agreement is an essential step in addressing these looming concerns and aims to bolster Georgetown’s water resources significantly.

Exciting Infrastructure Developments

The ambitious project will involve the development of new groundwater wells and the construction of a 36-mile transmission pipeline connecting the wellfield to Circleville. Out of the six proposed wells for this project, three already exist, which Assistant City Manager Laurie Brewer confirmed. This is a major relief for the city as it prepares to ramp up water availability for its residents.

A Partnership with GateHouse

This project will create a remarkable public-private partnership, with GateHouse taking the lead on operating, maintaining, and repairing the water project. They will be responsible for the design, financing, and construction of the wellfield and necessary infrastructure on their end. Meanwhile, the city of Georgetown will take charge of constructing the pipeline from the interconnection point to the city and will handle the purchase of the land needed for this project.

Annual Water Payments with A Backup Plan

As part of the agreement, Georgetown will be committing to pay for the 18,500 acre-feet of water each year. Alternatively, the city has a fallback option to pay for any available water that they don’t take by a specific deadline, ensuring that they have the flexibility to manage their resources effectively.

Continued Water Management Efforts

In 2023, Georgetown made another crucial step by signing a two-year agreement with EPCOR to reserve up to 55 million gallons of water from Robertson County. These strategic partnerships and agreements illustrate Georgetown’s commitment to proactive water management as the city continues to grow and evolve.

Upgrading Water Treatment Facilities

In addition to the new water sources, Georgetown is also in the process of rehabilitating the existing North Lake Water Treatment Plant, which is nearing completion. This revitalization will further enhance the city’s capacity to meet the water demands of its residents.

What This Means for Georgetown Residents

With these ambitious initiatives underway, Georgetown is taking impressive steps to safeguard its water supply for the future. As the community continues to grow, these efforts will ensure that all residents have access to the essential resource they need. Cheers to a bright and hydrated future for Georgetown!