Commissioner Hunter Responds to AJC Article

David Bennett's article, "What Stinks? High Cost of Water, Sewer," brings up some important points: the enormous cost of Clean Water Atlanta is being borne by Atlanta's water/sewer customers; without this work, the City couldn't handle the wastewater and deliver the drinking water for the existing population, never mind have the capacity for growth; the work was neglected for decades; and the work being done now will benefit not just current residents, but also their children and grandchildren, thus, it is appropriate that the costs are financed over 30 years.

A major part of the Clean Water Atlanta Program is the product of a federal court order; we could elect not to comply with its provisions, but then the City would be back to paying the daily fines that were assessed prior to Mayor Franklin's taking office. More importantly, this work is the right thing to do not just for our customers and our rivers, but for future generations and our downstream neighbors. The work we have done has dramatically reduced sewer spills and added the sewer capacity that supports economic development. In fact, by preventing the imposition of a building moratorium, the work we have done has directly contributed to more than $17 billion in development throughout the City.

The projects we are undertaking have been disruptive and expensive, but they are already making a difference. We have reduced the volume of sewer spills by 90 percent since 2001 and dramatically increased our level of service, while reducing operating expenses, which have dropped in each of the last two years. This year's operating budget is 18.8 percent lower than last year's.

Finally, it is no small matter that every major milestone under Clean Water Atlanta has been completed on time and under budget, an achievement for which District Court Judge Thomas Thrash, who oversees the Consent Decrees, has praised the City.

The American Water Works Association points out that the work Atlanta is doing will eventually have to be done by virtually every city and county in the country. While our rates may look high in comparison to those of other cities right now, as other utilities address their infrastructure requirements, that gap will shrink and disappear.

This is what we have accomplished: Cleaner rivers, economic development, projects completed on time and on budget, improved service and lower operating costs. Maybe the glass is at least half full.

Additional Link:
Atlanta: A Clean Water Success Story