Paulding's $215M Richland Creek Reservoir Project Update: WATCH

PAULDING COUNTY, GA — After years of relying on outside sources, Paulding County is finally getting its own water source.

"The Richland Creek Reservoir means everything to the citizens of Paulding County," said Tony Crowe, Paulding County Post IV commissioner. "As critical as infrastructure can be in Paulding County, the Richland Creek Reservoir truly is our independent water supply. I am so honored to be part of a nearly 20-year effort ensuring safe, sustainable drinking water for now and into the foreseeable future."

According to the Richland Creek Reservoir website, for years, Paulding County has had to source its water from outside its boundaries to adequately provide for its residents.

"There's a lot of contention between Georgia, Florida and Alabama over the limited resources we have for water." says Kelly Comstock, Program manager at civil engineering firm Brown and Caldwell, which is playing a key role in the effort. "These battles have been known as the 'Tri-State Water Wars,' and they have been going on for about 25 years."

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But by 2019, all that is going to change for residents. Paulding County, in collaboration with program manager Brown and Caldwell, design engineers Arcadis and Atkins, and contractors Brad Cole Construction, PC Construction, and Garney Construction is working on the $215 million Richland Creek Reservoir, or RCR, Water Supply Program.

Crews broke ground on the project's six components in early 2016 after the county spent years exploring potential solutions to help it become self-reliant with its water supply. The RCR project will provide various long-term benefits to the region and end its reliance on water from nearby Marietta County.

"From the county's perspective, this is the largest project they have ever undertaken," Comstock said. "They are a relatively small county, and so it was a big investment for them. It will pay off with lower long-term' water rates than what they would continue to pay if they were to remain a wholesale customer of the Cobb County Marietta Authority."

Photo and video courtesy Richland Creek Reservoir Project