Riverdale, Ga., water system for sale

Oct. 6, 2000

In an effort to reduce and equalize city water and sewer rates, Riverdale officials are hoping to sell their water and sewer system to the Clayton County Water Authority.

By PETER SCOTT

RIVERDALE, Ga., Oct. 5, 2000 (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)—In an effort to reduce and equalize city water and sewer rates, Riverdale officials are hoping to sell their water and sewer system to the Clayton County Water Authority.

The asking price is about $3 million.

"If we sell the system, our (2,800) customers will realize a savings immediately," said Ron Gossett, Riverdale's director of public works.

The average combined water and sewer charge for residential customers who are part of the Riverdale Water and Sewer System is $33.06 per month, compared with $24.60 per month for those served by the county water and sewer system.

Water agencies throughout metro Atlanta are finding themselves stressed in the wake of equipment demands and other new requirements under state environmental regulations and the federal Clean Water Act. The demands become even greater in areas like Riverdale, where City Council members fuel growth by annexing properties.

"We can't buy and sell water as cheaply as the county can," Gossett said. He said the city's asking price is based on the county water authority's recent willingness to pay $5 million to add 5,000 users from Forest Park to its water system.

Gossett reasons that the value of his city's system should be based on the ratio of new customers the county will receive.

So far, Wade Brannan, general manager of the Clayton Water Authority, said his board is not interested at the city's asking price but would be willing to absorb the system and operational costs associated with the acquisition. Negotiations are scheduled to resume in two weeks.

"We are not looking to acquire the water system. We think we can make it a benefit to the authority and citizens of Riverdale," Brannan said. Clayton provides water service to more than 58,000 customers.

In addition to serving residents of unincorporated Clayton, the county provides water and sewer services in the cities of Jonesboro, Lake City and Forest Park. It also provides services to 664 customers in Riverdale's high-growth area along Ga. 138 at Roundtree Road and Taylor Road.