​Wastewater Treatment

 Ellijay water reclaimation facility

 The Ellijay Gilmer County Water & Sewerage Authority operates an activated sludge, extended air   wastewater treatment plant that is permitted 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.

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​ ​​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 Another 0.45 MGD can be withdrawn   from the Ellijay River, when river flow is above minimum levels.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.

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