Articles
Practical guides and information about funding and managing water projects in Georgia.
Maximizing Stormwater Funding: Innovative Strategies for Communities - Part 1
As a community concern, stormwater is uniquely positioned at the nexus of environmental and infrastructural challenges. Often competing for limited funds, communities must consider innovative strategies to improve infrastructure and minimize environmental impacts. But what options do communities have to fund stormwater projects? And what does innovation look like?
Maximizing Stormwater Funding: Innovative Strategies for Communities - Part 2
Owing to both the diversity and magnitude of stormwater infrastructure investments, communities may need to seek funding through sources beyond federal or state programs. Also, since many federal and state programs are in the form of low-interest loans, there is a need to generate funds to repay these loans. Local and regional funding and financing options could come from public agencies and philanthropic groups, as well as local and regional taxes and fees.
Financing Private Septic System Repair and Replacement
Publicly-owned wastewater systems face large infrastructure expenses, and there are several established sources of financing designed for these types of systems. On the other hand, there have traditionally been very limited funding options designed for a homeowner who is not connected to public wastewater. Thousands of Georgia homeowners fit this scenario, where they have private onsite wastewater systems called septic tanks. In the 15-county Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District alone, it is estimated that there are more than 450,000 of these septic systems. When these systems need repair or replacement the cost can vary widely but is usually in the range of several thousand dollars, and in some instances, costs can get up to $20,000. This post highlights a few financing programs tailored specifically to septic tank repair, click to read more.