ON THE AGENDA: Dalton Utilities Public Meeting – Water Distribution Improvement Project

ON THE AGENDA: Dalton Utilities Public Meeting – Water Distribution Improvement Project Published 8:12 pm Saturday, July 25, 2026 ON THE AGENDA Dalton Utilities Water Distribution Improvement Project Public Meeting: Thursday, July 30 What is the meeting about? Dalton Utilities is proposing a major effort to accelerate replacement of portions of its aging HDPE (high-density polyethylene) drinking water distribution system through a proposed $10 million loan from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The utility says increasing leaks in portions of the HDPE system led engineers to conclude that a more comprehensive replacement program is needed rather than continuing incremental repairs. The proposed project would replace approximately 150,000 linear feet of water distribution pipe with ductile iron pipe, primarily within existing county and state rights-of-way. What is being proposed? - Replacement of approximately 150,000 linear feet of HDPE drinking water distribution pipe. - Installation of 6-inch and 8-inch ductile iron pipe in its place. - Work will primarily occur within existing county and state rights-of-way. - The utility is seeking a $10 million DWSRF loan through GEFA to accelerate the replacement program. Why now? According to Dalton Utilities, it began installing HDPE water mains in the late 1990s and continued through 2005. The utility says it began noticing premature pipe failures in 2005 and has monitored, documented and repaired leaks since that time. Recently, Dalton Utilities says leaks have become more prevalent, leading engineers to recommend a more comprehensive replacement effort. What happens if the loan isn’t approved? Dalton Utilities says it would continue replacing HDPE pipe incrementally as capital improvement funds become available, rather than undertaking the accelerated replacement program. Project timeline and impacts - Construction is expected to begin in late 2026 or early 2027, pending approvals, and take approximately one year. - Most work will occur within existing rights-of-way. Temporary water service interruptions and traffic impacts are expected, with advance notification to affected customers. Dalton Utilities says any additional property access needed will be coordinated with property owners in advance. Scope of the replacement The proposed project would address only a portion of Dalton Utilities’ HDPE distribution system. The utility says additional replacement projects will be needed in the future. Public comment process The July 30 meeting will provide an opportunity for public comment before the project moves forward in the state review process. Dalton Utilities says comments will be documented, evaluated by the project’s engineers and forwarded to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division and Georgia Environmental Finance Authority as part of the review. Changes to the proposed plan could be made in response to those comments. Meeting Information Thursday, July 30 6 p.m. Dalton Utilities Headquarters 1200 V.D. Parrott Jr. Parkway Project planning documents and environmental information are available for public review at Dalton Utilities before the meeting. Coming Wednesday The Dalton Daily Citizen will take a deeper look at the history of Dalton Utilities’ HDPE water system, why ductile iron was selected as the replacement material, how the utility arrived at this point, and what we learned from Dalton Utilities’ responses to dozens of questions about the project.