Bulloch County Commissioners voted Tuesday to authorize staff to apply for a Drinking Water Permit with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) for wells which will provide water to Bryan County.
From the meeting agenda printout:
Bulloch County needs to apply for a drinking water permit with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division in order to meet its contractual obligation to sell water to Bryan County.
“This has nothing to do with a Bulloch County water system” County Attorney Jeff Akins said in explaining that the permits are not for providing services to Bulloch County residents. “This is to sell water to [Bryan County].”
The process is two-pronged when providing water services:
Part 1 – securing the source, which is the groundwater permitting process and deals with quantity. This has been approved by EPD.
Part 2 – drinking water permit, which allows the county to operate a water facility on the basis that it has the proper administrative infrastructure and financial backing.
Additionally, contractual agreements indicate that Bryan County will operate the wells for at least the first five years.
“They have staff that are licensed… This makes it easier for you, while you’re making that transition…until you get to where your staff has the capability and training…and you’re comfortable to operate those wells,” water consultant Tony Rojas said to commissioners Tuesday morning. “It’s not for you to operate a public utility in Bulloch County, but it allows you to if you want to do so in the future.”
County Manager Tom Couch said “regardless of how the water is used for shall we say consumptive purposes, it also ensures, that it meets the standards for safe drinking standards, free of contaminants for other uses. The groundwater permit allows you to pull it out of the ground. The drinking water allows you describe how it will be used and managed.”
Couch said it’s a ‘ministerial act,’ but staff recommended approval.
Commissioner Rushing made a motion and it was seconded by Simmons. All commissioners voted in favor with Commissioner Ray Davis stating he voted yes ‘with concern,’ which Chairman Thompson said would be noted for the record.
