Heard County Water Authority COVID-19 Response

HCWA is aware of the importance of practicing good hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water. It is one of the cheapest, easiest, and probably the best first line of defense against the Coronavirus. During the month of March, we will suspend service disconnections for non-payment. However, payment is still due as scheduled, and late fees will be applied to late payments. To avoid late fees, call our office at 706-675-3358 and make payment arrangements. As always, payments may be made online or over the phone.

For the wellness of our staff, effective March 18, 2020, the office will remain locked until the coronavirus crisis has passed. Staff will continue to report to work and will be available by phone and email. The front door of the office has a drop box for placement of all payments and service applications. Service Applications and Water Users Agreement may also be downloaded from our website at www.myhcwa.com. Please call our office at 706-675-3358 if you have any questions.

During this difficult time, HCWA staff is committed to our customers and we will continue to provide safe and clean drinking water, as well as the treatment of wastewater for our City of Franklin customers. We encourage you to follow CDC guidelines and protect the health of you and your family. More information may be found at  www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

Who We Are

An act of the Georgia General Assembly created the Franklin-Heard County Water Authority on February 6, 1984. This act was amended to change the name of the Authority to the Heard County Water Authority was approved March 22, 1989. The Heard County Water Authority is not a department of the Heard County but an independent authority. The five person Board is comprised of two members appointed by the City of Franklin, two appointed by the Heard County Board of Commissioners, and one member is elected by the four current HCWA Board members. The Board serves for 4 years and the terms are staggered.  The reason behind utility authorities being created by the State of Georgia Legislature was to keep local politics out of the decision making process for rates and other matter with regard to the operation of a utility.

PUBLIC NOTICE

On May 18, 2020, The Heard County Water Authority Board approved an increase in New Water Tap Fees. Effective July 1, 2020, the New Water Tap Fees are:

New 3/4” Tap = $1,650

New 1” Tap = $2,500

New 2” Tap =$4,800

Note to Existing Customers: HCWA water connections shall only serve the location subscribed for by the property owner. However, HCWA is aware that some owners have allowed other dwellings on their property to connect into their existing water line. Such customers call us often while having trouble locating leaks in multiple lines, or dividing property. All dwellings should have an independent water connection. To assist and encourage existing water users to obtain their own water tap and meter, HCWA will grandfather in those users and allow them to apply under the current tap fee until December 1, 2020. Afterwards, the New Water Tap fee will be applied to all applicants. Please call the HCWA office at 706-675-3358 if you have any questions.