State Water Permits For Hard Labor Creek Reservoir On Hold

The Walton County Water and Sewer Authority is waiting on a response from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division to the Authority’s application for renewal of its permits to draw water from the existing Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir as well as from the Apalachee River.

The Authority submitted its renewal request for the two permits on May 3, but, according to Jimmy Parker from Precision Planning Inc., who represents the Authority, the Georgia EPD is holding up action until the Authority acquires land for an intake facility on the Apalachee River.

Parker said he and others representing the Authority have had “multiple conference calls” with the EPD since submitting the application but no written correspondence.

The Authority’s request from the United States Army Corps of Engineers for an extension of the Authority’s permit to withdraw water from the Apalachee River also is on hold while the Authority purchases land for the intake facility.

Parker said the purchase and sales agreement with an unidentified landowner currently is being finalized and he anticipates a called meeting of the Authority and the Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir Management Board in early to mid August to approve the agreement.

Oconee County is a partner with Walton County on the Reservoir, though the state and federal permits are held by the Walton County Water and Sewer Authority.

For more details on the application, including population and water use projections, go to Oconee County Observations.

Pictured: Reservoir looking northwest from dam near Social Circle.