Contact: Mr. Harry Jue, Bureau Chief, Water and Sewer Operations, City of Savannah, P.O. Box 1027, Savannah, GA 31402, 912/651-4241, 912/651-3681 (fax)

Description of Effort
The City of Savannah began acquiring privately owned water supply systems in the 1960’s. Due to the location of some of these systems, the city was not able to connect them to the main water supply system. As a result, the city has operated them as "satellite" water supply systems.

As long as thirty-five years ago, developers, who were struggling with the operational and maintenance requirements and costs of the water systems they owned, were willing to sell their systems to the city. The city had the operational and technical capacity to efficiently run the systems and the financial resources needed to expand them. Furthermore, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) supported governmental acquisition of small privately owned systems.

The City of Savannah is now the primary purveyor of water supply and wastewater services in Chatham County. It owns and operates eight systems, six of which are operated as satellite systems located outside of the city in Chatham County. Chatham County continues to operate 15 - 16 small water supply systems.

Managerial Considerations
The city owns, manages, and, as needed, expands the satellite systems. It is responsible for system operation, maintenance, and upgrades and for meeting existing and future water supply needs. The Bureau Chief of the City of Savannah Water and Sewer Operations has day-to-day responsibility for the operation and management of the system.

The City of Savannah Water and Sewer Operations had procedures in place to monitor the performance, productivity, and customer service of its water supply and wastewater systems. No new management or operational procedures or systems were needed as the satellite systems were acquired. The operational philosophy for the satellite systems is to provide the same level of service as is provided to those served by the city’s primary system.

Technical Considerations
Prior to purchase of the satellite systems, the city reviewed management records and design and operational plans, if any existed, and evaluated the pumping and treatment capacity of the existing wastewater facilities. In a number of instances, the recorded data was found to be erroneous after the city took over the system. When satellite systems have been acquired, additional resources, such as personnel, equipment, trucks, and operating supplies and materials, often have been required in order to operate the system in a manner consistent with the operation of the city’s primary system.

The City of Savannah Water and Sewer Operations complies with all state and federal regulations and rules and American Water Works Association standards. The city has two certified water and wastewater laboratories and all monitoring and testing is conducted in-house. Certification requirements are included in the city’s personnel descriptions and recognized in the pay scales. Personnel acquired through the purchase of a satellite system must meet certification requirements, which sometimes involves additional training.

The City of Savannah Water and Sewer Operations has an in-house planning division providing technical assistance to the department. A Geographic Information System has been used to improve the city maps delineating the location of utilities. Also the Chatham County - Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission modeled the city’s water supply and wastewater system to evaluate if the existing system can handle projected expanded loads within permitted limits while maintaining water quality controls in the conveyance and treatment of wastewater. Other technical assistance providers include the EPD, the U.S. Geologic Survey, and consultants.

Chatham County, in cooperation with the local jurisdictions located in the county, has prepared a Comprehensive Water Supply Management Plan (Plan) in response to requirements set by EPD for twenty-four coastal counties. The purpose of the Plan is to study water supply issues in an effort to preserve and protect the long-term viability of the Floridan aquifer as a source of potable water.

Some of the data in the Local Comprehensive Plan, like population projections, anticipated infrastructure, and agricultural requirements are used to support the city’s five- and twenty-year capital improvement plan (CIP). The five-year CIP looks at the needs of the city’s water supply and wastewater system including physical needs like auxiliary power, current operation versus capacity limits and the feasibility of combining satellite systems.

Financial Considerations
The City of Savannah Water and Sewer Operations functions as an Enterprise Fund system that is self-supporting through tap-in fees and water rates. System revenues fund operating costs. The five-year CIP budget and low interest Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority and State Revolving Fund loans are used to fund capital costs, including the acquisition of all satellite systems and major system improvements and expansions.

A cost of service analysis was undertaken in designing the rate structure for the satellite systems. Base rates within the county are 1.5 times those within the city with rate increases applied to all customers. Tap-in fees are levied against new development. This fee helps to recover development costs and the large capital expenditures associated with providing water supply and wastewater service to the new development.

In-depth financial analyses are undertaken prior to each acquisition. Satellite systems are examined to: