Funding Sources
 The
overall objective of Clean Water Atlanta is to improve water
quality in metropolitan Atlanta and the region beyond so that
Atlanta's citizens and our downstream neighbors will enjoy a
healthy and safe environment. To do so, an affordable solution
is needed to avoid financial hardships for the City of Atlanta.
The cost to implement Clean Water Atlanta is estimated at $3.8
billion for the four major program areas:
| Drinking Water |
$800 million |
| Combined Sewer Overflow Remediation |
$1 billion |
| Sanitary Sewer System Improvements |
$1 billion |
| WRCs* and other System Improvements |
$1 billion |
*Water Reclamation Centers
This unprecedented investment in Atlanta's water and wastewater
systems is necessary in order to meet our responsibility of
providing clean water and protecting the environment for our
citizens, downstream neighbors and future generations of Atlantans.
The City also faces stiff civil penalties and a moratorium on
new sewer connections if deadlines associated with the consent
decrees are not met.
Atlanta's environmental challenge will not be met without
some increase in sewer rates. The City is exploring alternative
methods for financing this program, including some creative
funding strategies such as federal and state grant and loan
programs, regulatory relief, business and industry contributions,
innovative capital cost reduction programs, interjurisdictional
agreements with our wholesale customers, construction efficiency
measures, revenue enhancement programs, and other proven strategies
for cost sharing and reduction. Our primary objective is to
reduce the financial burden on our ratepayers and keep Atlanta
an affordable, economically thriving place to live and visit.
Funding Strategy
| Special Local Option Sales Tax |
$500 million |
| Low Interest State Loans |
$500 million |
| Federal Appropriations |
$1 billion |
| Ratepapers |
$1+ billion |
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