Fulton County plans to raise water rates to pay for improvements

After closing the Cauley Creek Water Reclamation Facility in Johns Creek several years ago, Fulton plans to increase water rates to pay for the expansion of two wastewater treatment plants. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM AJC FILE PHOTO

After closing the Cauley Creek Water Reclamation Facility in Johns Creek several years ago, Fulton plans to increase water rates to pay for the expansion of two wastewater treatment plants. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM AJC FILE PHOTO

A plan to upgrade Fulton County water lines and sewage treatment plants will cost more than half a billion dollars, paid for with a water rate increase if county commissioners approve it in June.

Tuesday will mark the first of four public hearings where residents can voice their thoughts on plans to increase water rates by 5 percent annually for the next three years.

It would be the first rate increase in nearly a decade.

“Obviously, nobody wants to pay more for anything,” Fulton Public Works Director David Clark said. “We always tied changes to our rates to very specific projects.”

All told, the projects will cost $523.5 million.

The public meetings all begin at 6:30 p.m. They will be held:

  • Tuesday at the Fulton County North Service Center at 7741 Roswell Road in Atlanta;
  • May 2 at the Fulton County South Service Center at 5600 Stonewall Tell Road in College Park;
  • May 9 at the Water Resources Operations Center at 11575 Maxwell Road in Alpharetta;
  • May 16 at the Southwest Arts Center at 915 New Hope Road Southwest in Atlanta.

To read more about the projects the money would pay for, click here.