Wastewater

The City of Dawsonville’s Wastewater Facility provides the best possible treatment of waste to protect the receiving waters, downstream users, and neighbors. By removing waste from the wastewater and thereby protecting the receiving waters, meeting strict government permit requirements, minimizing odors to avoid nuisance complaints, minimizing costs, minimizing energy consumption, maintaining an effective preventative maintenance program and maintenance of a collection and transportation system to the treatment plant.

The most efficient method for collecting wastewater is by gravity through manholes and sewer lines. A gravity sewer system does not have any mechanical parts and does not require electricity. Some locations require a pump station be installed.

The pump stations are monitored through Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA). The SCADA system transmits all pertinent information about the pump station and tracks the pump stations performance and alerts facility operators to certain failures and conditions.

Currently, the City of Dawsonville maintains nine lift stations, an aerated treatment pond, a land application storage pond, and twelve spray fields. The City staff is on call at all times for emergency needs.

The City of Dawsonville is permitted by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) to treat 400,000 gallons per day.

Grease Traps

All restaurants have to have a grease trap either outdoor grease interceptor (that is pumped out by a certified company periodically as needed) or an inside (under sink style that is cleaned daily). This prevents grease from the restaurants from going into the sewer.

The Water/Sewer Department will periodically check the grease trap to make sure they are being maintained.

All restaurants must send a copy of the manifest from the company that pumps the grease trap to City Hall at 415 Hwy 53 East, Suite 100, Dawsonville, GA 30534.

High Strength Wastewater Surcharge

(A) Establishment of Surcharge

Users discharging "high strength" wastewater into the City sewerage system may be assessed a monetary surcharge in addition to the normally required sewer use charges in an amount to be calculated below. A "high strength" wastewater is defined as wastewater which contains any of the following six (6) primary pollutants above the lower levels set forth on a monthly average concentration basis and shall not exceed the maximum level on a daily average concentration basis:

1. Five day 20° C ( 20 degrees Centigrade) biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) above 350 milligrams per liter (mg/l), not to exceed a maximum of 600 mg/l
2. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) above 700 milligrams per liter (mg/l), not to exceed a maximum of 1,200 mg/l.
3. Total ammonium nitrogen NH3-N above 30 mg/l, not to exceed a maximum of 60 mg/l.
4. Total TKN above 40 mg/l, not to exceed a maximum of 80 mg/l.
5. Total phosphorus above 20 mg/l, not to exceed a maximum of 30 mg/l.
6. Floatable oil and grease above 100 mg/I, not to exceed a maximum of 150 mg/l.

The above parameters shall be determined by the utilization of sampling and testing procedures as provided in the High Strength Wastewater Ordinance.

(B) Formula

When the concentration of the surcharge parameters exceeds the lower level values shown above, the excess concentration shall be subject to a surcharge in the amount obtained using the following formula:

Surcharge $/month = P x Q x 8.34 x C Where:

"P" is the excess monthly average concentration in mg/l of the parameter (BOD5, etc.) being evaluated i.e. the actual concentration less the allowable lower level concentration listed in paragraph (A). The maximum level concentration shall not be exceeded.

"Q" is equal to the user's monthly flow in millions of gallons.

C" is equal to the unit cost in dollars per pound ($/lb) for the treatment of the surcharged parameter. This value shall be established by the City based on actual wastewater treatment costs which shall be revised from time to time as necessary.

Since high strength wastewater can inhibit the treatment process, as a penalty the costs per pound shall increase if the pollutant concentration increases above the lower level limit as follows:

New Wastewater/Sewer Service

A person seeking sewer, and/or garbage service from the City of Dawsonville shall complete an application at City Hall (even though an application may have been filled out for water at Etowah Water). A customer security deposit and ID will be required. For more information call City Hall at (706) 265-3256.

Policy for City of Dawsonville Utility Bill
Due dates for utility bills are as follows:

• Utility Bill is due on the 10th on the month  
• Penalty of $10.00 will be added after the 15th of each month if balance is not paid

Reconnection fees

• First time reconnect within a 24 month period: $50.00;
• Second time reconnect within a 24 month period: $100.00;
• Third time reconnect within a 24 month period: $200.00;
• Each subsequent violation beyond the third reconnect within a 24 month period results in a reconnection fee increase of $100.00 from the previous violation.

Office Location: Dawsonville Water Department at City Hall, 415 Hwy. 53 East, Suite 100

Mailing Address: 415 Hwy 53 East, Suite 100, Dawsonville, GA 30534

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

Contact: Phone: (706) 265-3256

Fax: (706) 265-4214

After Hours Emergency: Phone: (706) 265-3526