By RICHARD WHITT
ATLANTA, Oct. 6, 2000 (The Atlanta Constitution)—Federal bid-rigging charges against an Alpharetta businessman could hinder efforts to build a wastewater treatment plant in north Fulton County.
Jerry Wickliffe, owner of Water Wise Inc., got a county contract in March to build a treatment plant in the Johns Creek watershed, where additional sewer capacity is critically needed.
What Fulton County Commission members didn't know at the time was that Wickliffe already was in trouble with federal authorities. And he was cooperating with the government in a sweeping investigation of bid-rigging.
In June, Wickliffe and Wickliffe Services Co. were charged with conspiring to fix prices on equipment for a half-dozen water treatment plants in Alabama and Georgia, including two in Atlanta.
While those charges are unrelated to Fulton County's contract with Wickliffe's Water Wise, it has cast a shadow over the Johns Creek project, Deputy County Manager Terry Todd said Wednesday.
"We're aware of it (the charges). I don't think we've reached any conclusion. Naturally we look at it but no decision has been made," Todd said.
Under the contract, Water Wise is to finance and build the 1.5 million-gallon-a-day treatment plant, get the necessary permits and be responsible for meeting all regulatory requirements. The county agreed to pay $3.33 per 1,000 gallons for treatment up to a maximum of $1.8 million a year.
The county could be liable for a termination fee of up to $12.4 million if it ends the contract.
There has been little official action since the contract was approved, said Philip George, environmental engineer with the state Environmental Protection Division.
"The only thing we've done is to give site approval," George said.
EPD must approve the plant design before construction can begin. And Water Wise hasn't yet submitted plans for the plant, he said.
Wickliffe could not be reached for comment.
Commissioner Robert Fulton, whose district includes Johns Creek, said Wednesday he hopes Water Wise or another company can complete the project.
"What he's done in that area (alleged bid-rigging) is not a Fulton County issue," said Fulton. "I'm sorry to hear about it and am concerned it may impact our ability to get additional sewage treatment in the area."
Fulton said the county is under a moratorium on sewage permits in the area and desperately needs additional capacity.
"It appears ready to move ahead with the state's blessing. If that doesn't happen, maybe somebody else will pick it up," Fulton said.
©Copyright 2000 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
