2 weeks Ago By Christine Queally
BRYAN COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) - Amidst ongoing water concerns in areas around the Hyundai plant, Bulloch and Bryan counties are teaming up to offer a solution that will make sure the manufacturing plant and local residents both get what they need.At a meeting Monday night, officials with Bulloch and Bryan officials laid out their Groundwater Sustainability Program (GSP).
"We all have wells in our area, and we were concerned because we were hearing stories about how we're going to lose our water or our water was going to be nasty and dirty, we weren't going to be able to drink from it and do laundry and things like that," Bryan County resident Janice Mizell said. "So, all of us were concerned and we really wanted some honest answers."Bryan and Bulloch have added four new municipal wells in Southeast Bulloch to supply water to the Hyundai plant, and the GSP is an insurance policy for people who live within a five-mile radius of those wells.
"We don't think it'll reach to the drawdown levels that the model shows," Planning and Development Director for Bulloch County, James Pope said. "The area of impact at most that we anticipate is a 19-foot drawdown in the aquifer."However, in case there are issues, residents can receive help from their county under the GSP.
"We'll have a hotline that citizens can call if there's any issue with their groundwater wells," Pope said. "That location is generally related five miles out from I-16 and 119 intersections."That hotline will be attached to a well repair and maintenance service, which is funded by the state, local municipalities and Hyundai.
"They should not have to spend any money out of their pocket," Pope said. "We designed it in a way where they could call a number and have someone come look at the issue."To make sure residents are eligible to receive services, though, county representatives are asking them to register their well online.
"At least now I know how to file a claim," Juanita Baker, who lives near the wells, said. "I know what they're planning for. So, I'm confident with the information.
We can pass it on to the rest of the family members because we're all basically family in there."Officials with Bulloch and Bryan said the municipal wells are only meant to be a temporary solution.Soon, they expect the majority of the water to be coming from Chatham County and, eventually, Effingham County.
For now, the municipal wells are set to become operational beginning in late July..
