Macon Water Authority faces urgent repair needs amid rate concerns

MACON, Ga. (WGXA) — Millions of dollars are needed for emergency repairs at the Amerson Water Treatment Plant, according to a recent Macon Water Authority board meeting. Board member Elaine Lucas said the situation was presented as an emergency that could impact water quality.

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“It was presented to us as an emergency situation, and that it could impact our water, the quality of our water. That is what we were told,” Lucas explained during an interview with WGXA News on Friday.

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The Macon Newsroom reported a presentation made at the recent board meeting highlighted three areas of the plant requiring repair due to previously overlooked or ignored problems. Two of the plant’s main filters are reportedly down due to unresolved issues discovered a decade ago, and a settling tank is out of commission, overrun with sludge burying a broken rotating arm.

Despite these issues, the Georgia Association of Water Professionals recently recognized the plant for its excellence in water treatment operations, maintenance, and regulatory compliance. However, Lucas expressed concerns that these problems could jeopardize the authority’s permit with the State Environmental Protection Division.

“These may be wish-list items that we need to take care of, but we don’t know for sure.”

Lucas also suggested the board could meet more than once a month to allow members sufficient time to review materials before voting. She noted that some issues with the treatment facility had been reported in the past.

Stay with WGXA News for updates on this developing story.