State approves $43 million in water-sewer projects

Associated Press

The state has approved $43.1 million in loans for 26 water and sewer system projects in communities across Georgia.

Officials said Tuesday that 23 of the projects were either fully or partially financed by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, for a total of $39 million in federal stimulus money.

Gov. Sonny Perdue said infrastructure investment creates jobs, and improving health and safety is critical to prosperity.

Among the largest projects, Gwinnett County gets a $2 million loan and a $3 million subsidy for a generator fueled by sewage gas to produce electricity for wastewater treatment.

Hinesville will get a $2.6 million loan to finance watershed improvements at three sites for stormwater control, and Thomaston $3.3 million for water-main replacement.