The Town of Braselton’s re-use wastewater program took top honors in the small city category for Community and Economic Development in a Georgia Trend
Setter Awards event. The re-use wastewater program was developed by EMI to
help ensure future industrial and residential growth in the rapidly developing area
of Braselton. Demands for water usage were extremely high and projected to
exceed capacity. While re-use systems had been in place in other states, this was
the first of its kind in Georgia. Since re-use water permitting regulations had not
yet been established at the state level, EMI worked closely with the Georgia
Environmental Protection Division to develop these regulations.
Components of the treatment works include SBR technology, fine screening,
ultraviolet disinfection, on-site sludge management which results in the
production of re-use quality effluent. Effluent from the new plant is transported
to area golf courses and sod farms; and, is also used to recharge local river basins.
Additionally, residential users are utilizing the reuse water for lawn irrigation. The cost of recycled water is about one fourth the price when compared to drinkable water, and reduces the demand on the drinking water capacity.