On September 13 and 14, 2022, we held a series of community meetings regarding the WTP.  Below are a list of the most frequently asked questions and their answers:

Do we still need our water softener?

That is a discussion the homeowner needs to have with their softener company, as it is a personal preference. We are seeing levels of 2-3 grains per gallon coming out of the WTP, which is considered soft water.  We suggest by-passing your softener after 3-4 weeks and see if you like the softness levels of the WTP water.

Do we need our filtration or Reverser Osmosis system?

That is a personal preference as those can be set based on a customer’s taste preference. Discuss with your filtration vendor.

Is there fluoride in the water?

No, flouridation is not a state requirement.

Do we test for PFAS’s?

No, there are currently no standards for PFA’s established under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The EPA is conducting research to understand the current exposure levels of PFAs and to establish safe levels in drinking water.  For more information, we recommend going to the EPA’s website.

Will I smell or taste chlorine?

Our goal is to maintain the same level of chlorination in water from the WTP as we had with the wells. If you experience a strong chlorine smell or taste, please contact us at 800-248-7689.

Will this affect the lake levels?

No, the lake has a volume of over 130 trillion gallons of water, with daily inflows averaging 330 million gallons per day. Our withdrawals, even at the 5 MGD level, will have no discernable impact on the lake.

Are we supplying water from the wells and the WTP?

No, we will be shutting down 22 of the wells that serviced the Reynolds water system over the next 12 months, in accordance with EPD guidelines. The remaing 6 will be kept as backup sources, but they will provide water to the system only if they are manually activated.  Some of the well buildings will remain to be utilized as monitoring points.

Where is the water being drawn from in the lake?

The raw water intake is in a cove on the Richland Creek branch of Lake Oconee.

Are we prepared for the new development coming to use the water from the WTP?

Yes, the plant capacity was derived from a master plan of the surrounding area, assuming an aggressive level of development.

Can you soften water to much?

Water that is too soft can be corrosive because there is no mineral content to act as a buffer. It will start to feel slimy to the touch.

Do we have a secondary power source in case of a natural disaster?

Yes, there is an emergency backup generator at the plant.

Do we plan to come across the bridge into Putnam County?

Expanding the plant service area to Putnam County is in our 3-5 year long term planning.  The pace of development in the current service area could change that timing, however.

Will the spots on dishes, windows and cars go away?

Yes, softer water generally does not leave spots.

Will the sulfur smell go away?

Yes, the sulfur smell comes from the natural minerals in ground water that gets heated up in the water heater.  You may need to fully flush your water heater to remove any sediment buildup to completly eliminate sulphur like odors.

Will my appliances last longer?

Soft water is generally easier on appliances and fixtures.

Do we dump our sewer effluent into the lake?

No, as a private company, the state does not allow us to stream discharge effluent from our sewer treatment plants, unlike municipally owned sewer plants.

We’ve received many inquiries regarding the treatment process for water withdrawn from Lake Oconee for potable use.  The following flowchart provides an overview of the treatment process we utilize.

Please click here to view a downloadable PDF on the WTP transition and short-term quality issues.