Federal funding follows Sen. Ossoff’s East Point Water Infrastructure Enhancement Act & Sens. Ossoff & Rev. Warnock’s City of Atlanta Water Infrastructure Enhancement Act becoming law
Atlanta, Ga. — U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff today announced Federal funding to help upgrade water infrastructure in Atlanta and East Point.
Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock are delivering $24.8 million in Federal resources for critical water infrastructure upgrades in the cities of East Point and Atlanta. The Federal funding will go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who partners with the cities on water infrastructure projects.
The Federal funding comes after Sen. Ossoff passed into law his East Point Water Infrastructure Enhancement Act, and after Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock, alongside Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05), passed into law their City of Atlanta Water Infrastructure Enhancement Act, both of which authorized the Army Corps to work on these projects – the key prerequisite to now secure these Federal resources.
The Army Corps will receive $15 million over the next 3 years to design and then work on water infrastructure upgrades in East Point.
The Army Corps will also receive $9.8 million over the next 3 years to upgrade the levee protecting the City of Atlanta’s RM Clayton Water Reclamation Center along the Chattahoochee River, and for upgrades to Atlanta’s West Area Water Quality Control Facility (WQCF) Outfall to prevent flooding into Peachtree Creek and surrounding areas.
“I’ve heard consistently from local leaders about concerns with aging water infrastructure, which is why Senator Reverend Warnock and I are delivering this funding for the U.S. Army Corps to work on vital water infrastructure projects across Atlanta and East Point,” Sen. Ossoff said.
“Georgians across the state rely on safe, clean, and reliable water for drinking, maintaining homes and businesses, and more. But this is the type of work that goes largely unrecognized until disaster strikes, highlighting why it is so important to secure bipartisan investments today that will protect Georgia’s water infrastructure tomorrow,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “I will continue championing federal investments that bolster Georgia’s economy and ecology.”
“We are deeply grateful that Senator Ossoff continues to deliver again and again and again for East Point! Receiving 15 million dollars for waterline rehabilitation will have an immense positive impact on the City of East Point’s drinking water distribution system. This substantial funding will be utilized to replace aging infrastructure, which reduces the risk of leaks and breaks that contribute to water loss and potential impurities. Improvements to our water lines, that will be made possible with this historic funding, will ensure a more reliable supply of clean and safe water and enhance public health and safety for East Point residents and the other cities that depend on our supply of drinking water. Additionally, replacing deteriorated water lines will reduce maintenance costs and disruptions, leading to economic benefits that will positively impact generations to come,” said East Point Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham.
“Upgrades to the levee at the Clayton Reclamation Center and West Area Control Facility are key investments for the surrounding communities that will strengthen our water infrastructure and help prevent historic flooding in the affected neighborhoods. Thank you again to Senator Ossoff, Senator Warnock and Congresswoman Williams for helping Atlanta move forward with these and other critical infrastructure projects,” Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said.
Sen. Ossoff continues working to strengthen Georgia’s water infrastructure.
In June, Sen. Ossoff delivered Federal funding to help the City of College Park install a new water storage tank and booster system, which will ensure residents have access to reliable, clean drinking water, and accommodate economic growth in the city.
Sen. Ossoff also delivered new resources to help replace Rockdale County’s 50-year-old water pump station.
In 2022, Sen. Ossoff and Congresswoman Lucy McBath passed into law their Chattahoochee River Act, a first-of-its-kind law that authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to work on water projects up and down the Chattahoochee River throughout the state of Georgia.
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