Chattooga County: WATER & CUT-IN RATE INCREASES EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2026

Tim Brunson, Superintendent for Water & Public Works for Chattooga County shared the following information:

WATER & CUT-IN RATE INCREASES EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2026

Due to the rising cost of materials and labor over the past 10 years, the age of our system, and to improve the maintenance and reliability for our Water customers, we must increase the cost of our water rates, tap fees for new services and fire hydrant installations. As we know material and chemical prices increased dramatically during and after Covid. In an effort to keep up with rising costs for materials and chemicals we will be

(1) Changing the Base Rate from 2000 gallons to 1000 gallons.

(2) We will be implementing a gradual yearly increase of 3 percent each year for the next 5 years.

At the end of the 5 years, we will evaluate prices and adjust the rate based on costs if needed.

The new rates will be:

Routes 1-9

0 – 1000 Gallons: $15.65

1001 – 3000 Gallons: $4.24 per/1000 gallons

3001 – 10,000 Gallons: $4.67/per 1000 gallons

Over 10,000 Gallons: $3.50/per 1000 gallons

Cloudland & Gore-Subligna Rates

0 -1000 Gallons: $28.33

Over 1000 Gallons: $7.43/per 1000 gallons

Our Fire Hydrant Rates will also increase.

While you will still pay a $100.00 deposit the rate will increase to $2.78 per 1000 gallons.

This Rate will be the same as that of Ag. Rates.

We also must increase the cost of our Cut Ins or Tap fees. We currently charge $700.00 for a new connection and $50.00 or $100.00 depending on rental or property owner for a meter deposit. Based on current material costs, labor and equipment costs we are losing money on every installation and have been for many years.

The new Cut in prices will be:

¾-inch meter: $1300.00

1-inch meter: $2200.00

2-inch meter: $4000.00

Meters larger than 2 inches will be priced upon need.

Fire Hydrant installation costs will be $4500.00.

This rate will also be used for the replacement of a hydrant damaged by a vehicle.

While it is a dramatic increase, it is needed due to the lack of gradual increases over the years. This cost is in line with city utilities in the area and far below most utilities in the state.

Another issue we are facing is the amount of water leak adjustments we have. While adjusting a bill for a customer’s leak is common in the water industry it is typically only done on the Sanitary Sewer side. Since it is a leak, it does not go down the drain and is not treated. Systems such as ours that do not have Sanitary Sewer lose money when we adjust a bill. We still must produce the water, distribute the water and maintain the lines, chemicals, etc. In the past year we have lost tens of thousands in leak adjustments. The implementation of a leak protection fee to offset this cost will be beneficial to not only the customer but also to the county.

A $2.00 Leak Protection fee attached to the water bill will allow the customer to get 1 leak adjustment per year up to $1500.00. It is up to the customer to decide when to use the leak protection and we will not automatically adjust the bill. Customers will bring their bill in and a receipt for the cost of the repair. We will be sending out more information on this.

The insurance would be added to every bill and if you do not want it then you would have to sign a paper opting out. A customer who chooses to opt-out of Leak Protection will not be charged the $2.00 fee. Paperwork will be available at the Water Billing Office to opt out of the Protection plan.

Customers who choose to opt out of the Protection Plan are not be eligible to receive an adjustment on their account for any leak that may occur. If a customer leaves and chooses to opt back into the leak protection program they will not be entitled or eligible to/for any coverage for 90 days from the date the water department receives their opt in paperwork.

This protection is only for the cost of water and does not cover any damage or costs of repair to the customers plumbing, plumbing fixtures, dwelling, building, or similar issues. This protection also does not cover an existing water leak before the date of coverage.

If you have any questions, please call 706-734-2827.

Tim Brunson

Superintendent for Water & Public Works