Resulting from the passage of SB 342 during the 2008 legislative session the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) approved program policies for the Georgia Reservoir & Water Supply Fund on May 20.  GEFA also issued guidelines for the Georgia Water Supply Competitive Grant Program, which will distribute $40 million in grant funds to assist local governments with improving water supply and making that supply more resistant to periods of drought.  Counties must act quickly if they wish to take advantage of these grants as applications must be submitted to GEFA by August 29, 2008.  

GEFA Establishes Georgia Reservoir & Water Supply Fund

Fund will Allocate Financing for Reservoir and Water Supply Infrastructure

With the signing of the Water Conservation and Drought Relief Act (SB 342) by Governor Perdue on May 13, 2008, the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) Board of Directors approved program policies for the Georgia Reservoir & Water Supply Fund. GEFA also issued guidelines for the Georgia Water Supply Competitive Grant Program, which will distribute $40 million in grant funds for reservoir and water supply projects. To qualify for these funds, Counties must submit their applications by August 29, 2008.

“Since 1985, GEFA has supported communities across Georgia by providing more than $2.4 billion in loans and grants for water, sewer and solid waste infrastructure,” said GEFA Board Chairman J.C. Warren – Commissioner, Screven County. “The addition of the Georgia Reservoir & Water Supply Fund fits perfectly with GEFA’s mission.”

SB 342 also brings state agencies together to support reservoir construction and expansion. The Environmental Protection Division (EPD) will facilitate local governments’ efforts by expediting aspects of permitting for new reservoir applications. GEFA will assist local governments with financing reservoir and water supply projects. SB342 establishes the Georgia Reservoir & Water Supply Fund within GEFA to allocate the reservoir and water system infrastructure funds recommended by the Governor and approved by the General Assembly.

“While Georgia may never be drought proof, we are taking proactive steps to prepare for the next drought and all the ones that will follow,” said GEFA Executive Director Chris Clark. “We appreciate the confidence shown by Governor Perdue and the General Assembly in GEFA’s ability to implement this critical component of Georgia’s drought management efforts.”

Initial funding for the Georgia Reservoir & Water Supply Fund totals $70 million in the Amended FY2008 and FY2009 budgets. The Amended FY2008 budget allocated $40 million in grants for local governments to develop reservoirs; the FY2009 budget allocated $30 million in loans for local governments.

Georgia Water Supply Competitive Grant Program Guidelines and Application