Wastewater Treatment

Ellijay water reclaimation facility

The Ellijay Gilmer County Water & Sewerage Authority operates an activated sludge, extended air wastewater treatment plant that is permited by GA EPD to treat up to 4.0 MGD. The plant also removes phosphorus down to a level of 0.75 parts per million. The reclaimed water is discharged to the Coosawattee River, which is one of the many trout streams found in Gilmer County, GA. The plant received a Gold Award in 2013 for operational excellence. It was started up in 1970 and has been expanded several times to provide wastewater capacity that supports community growth. It is currently running at about 50% capacity and can be further expanded to handle up to 5.0 MGD. A septic receiving station is available for local haulers that pump septic tanks. Recreational vehicles can dump at the station at no charge.

706-276-2202

1023 Progress Road, Ellijay, GA 30540

ELLIJAY-GILMER COUNTY

WATER & SEWERAGE AUTHORITY

Water Treatment

Cartecay Water Treatment Plant

The Ellijay Gilmer County Water & Sewerage Authority operates a conventional water

plant that is rated at 5.5 MGD (million gallons per day). The plant primarily withdraws water from the Cartecay River under permit from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division and can use up to 4.0 MGD. Another 0.45 MGD can be withdrawn from the Ellijay River, when river flow is above minimum levels. The plant was constructed in 1971 as a 0.5 MGD plant and has been expanded several times to keep pace with water usage. The plant is set up so that it can easily be expanded up to 8.0 MGD in order to meet future requirements of the community. The plant has received Gold and Platinum Awards for operational excellence and was named "Plant of the Year" in 2013, for plants in the State of Georgia between 3.0 and 8.99 MGD in size. Tours of the plant can be arranged for educational purposes.

​Wastewater Treatment