What is an Authority?

The Cherokee County Water & Sewerage Authority (CCWSA) was established as a subdivision of the government of the State of Georgia by an act of the Georgia Legislature in 1955. This Authority was created for the express purpose of providing public drinking water and sanitary sewer services to the citizens of Cherokee County. CCWSA has performed this mission for fifty-two years, adding infrastructure and treatment systems in response to growing demands for services.

CCWSA is a public not-for-profit governmental entity tasked with the provision of drinking water and sanitary sewer services to Cherokee County. The Authority has no taxing powers, is not a part of Cherokee County government, and does not receive any tax revenue from county or city governments. CCWSA sells the services of high quality drinking water and efficient sewage conveyance and treatment, the charges for which go to pay on-going operations and maintenance costs. New customer connection fees are designed to repay any moneys the Authority borrows for capital improvement projects such as new or expanded water and sewer lines, or new or expanded treatment facilities.

CCWSA is governed by a seven person board of directors. The directors serve four-year terms and there is a term limit of two consecutive terms (8 years). A director who has served the term limit is eligible for reappointment after being off the Board for at least 4 years. The Board members are representative of the citizens of Cherokee County, and must be a customer of CCWSA. Cherokee County is divided into four districts for representation. A member is appointed from each of the four districts. Those members must be a CCWSA customer and represent one of the four respective districts. Another member must be a CCWSA customer and is deemed the “at-large” member representing the county as a whole.  Another member must be a CCWSA customer in one of the cities within the county that has consolidated its water and wastewater systems with the Authority. These six board members are appointed by the Grand Jury of Cherokee County. Candidates for appointment undergo questioning, qualification review and other scrutiny by the Grand Jury during the appointment process. This appointment process is somewhat unique since water/wastewater systems are most often part of a city or county government where appointees are either elected officials or political appointees. The apolitical appointment process has allowed the CCWSA Board to make decisions about water and sanitary sewer services for the citizens of Cherokee County based on need and economic viability instead of political expediency. The Chairman of the Cherokee County Commissioners is automatically the seventh board member by virtue of his/her elected position.

About CCWSA

Q. Where is the Water Authority located?

The Water Authority is located at 391 West Main Street, Canton, GA 30114. West Main Street runs east and west between Waleska Street and Railroad Street.  We are the three-story brick building at the corner of West Main Street and Railroad Street.  For more specific directions from your area, please call our 24 hour automated information line at 678-493-2292.

Q. What is the CCWSA’s service area?

As a general rule, the Authority provides water to most of Cherokee County outside the City Limits in areas where public water is available.  To verify who supplies the water service in your area, please call Customer Service at 770-479-1813 during normal business hours of 8:00am to 5:00pm.

Q. Where does my water come from?

Most of CCWSA’s water comes from the Etowah River.  Our water treatment plant is located at 583 Coker Chapel Road. For the homes having sewerage, our waste water treatment plant is Rose Creek.  In addition, the Authority purchases a small percentage of our water from Cobb County.

Q. How much storage capacity does the Authority have?

The CCWSA has 13 water tanks that store over 21 million gallons of water. 

The water in these tanks recycles once or twice daily.

Q. Why is my water off?

If your account is delinquent and you have not made arrangements or if you have had a returned check, your service has probably been disconnected.  Water service will be reinstated following the receipt of payment in full of the account balance and a reconnect charge of $50.00. 

If your water is off due to a main break, the length of time you will be without water depends on the work needed to repair the break.  Call Customer Service at 770-479-1813 for an estimated time when water service will be restored.

Q. Why wasn’t I notified in advance of my water being shut off?

When routine maintenance or new installation on water lines is scheduled, there will be road signs posted on the streets that will be effected.  This will notify you if your water service will be interrupted. However, in emergency situations, individual notification is not given before the water is turned off.

Q. Who is responsible for the water lines from the meter to my house?

The CCWSA maintains the lines from the water main to the meter box, and the water meter.  The homeowner is responsible for the line from the meter to the house. 

Q. Why are colored flags or paint marks on my lawn?

We are required by law to mark our water lines any time a contractor will be excavating near our water mains.  Flags or paint marks show the location of utility lines in the area. 

There are different colors to indicate the different utilities.

Blue = Water

Green = Sewer

Red = Electric

Yellow = Gas

Orange = TV

Q. Is there anything that I can do to prepare for winter?

To prevent freezing & breaking, unhook hoses from your outside faucet and drain them.

Troubleshooting

Q. Why is my water “cloudy” or “milky” colored?

When water has been shut off at the main, this sometimes causes air in the lines. The color that you are seeing is probably due to this.  You can check by filling a glass with water and letting it sit for a short time.  If the water clears up, there is air in the line. To remove air from the line, turn on the cold water taps in your house and let them run for 5-10 minutes.  If you still have a problem, call Customer Service at 770-479-1813.

Q. My water is “muddy”. How can I clear it up?

This is probably due to sediment in the line from a water main break.  Turn on all the cold water taps and let them run for 5-10 minutes. Also, run your washing machine through a cold cycle before doing any laundry.

Q. What are the white particles in my water?

This may be due to a faulty dip tube in your hot water heater.  Sometimes the plastic in the tube breaks down and this can clog your faucets and showerheads.  You can find more information on the Internet.  One web site is www.homerepair.about.com. (Subject: Water Heaters)

Q. Why has my water bill doubled?

A high bill might be an indication of a leak or a misread meter.  We recommend two tests to determine if there is a problem.

¨       Misread Test

Compare the current reading on your water bill against the reading that is on your meter.  If the reading on the meter is smaller than the reading on your bill, we have misread your meter.  If this is the case, please contact Customer Service at 770-479-1813 and we will have someone verify the reading.  Your bill will be adjusted to the new reading.

¨       Two Hour Leak Test

At a convenient time for you, go out to your water meter and write down the reading on your meter.  During this time, make sure that no one is using water in the house.  If you have an icemaker, make sure that it is turned off. Wait 2 HOURS and go back and read the meter again.  If the numbers have changed AT ALL, you have a leak and you need to call a plumber and have it repaired.

You can check to see if your toilet is leaking by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank.  If the toilet is leaking, the food coloring will show in the toilet bowl in about ½ hour.

Always keep in mind that if you have been watering your lawn or garden, this will cause an increase in your water bill.  To determine how much, write down your meter reading before and after you water and calculate how many gallons you used.  On a residential, ¾” meter, the rate is $4.35 per thousand gallons.

Q. I have “blue-poly” pipe and I had a leak. Where can I find information regarding a reimbursement for my cost to repair the leak?

You can receive information by calling 1-800-356-3496.  Homes less than 10 years old are possibly eligible for assistance.

Account Information

Q. How do I establish water service to my house?

We require a deposit and transfer fee to begin new service.  If you are a homeowner, the total due is $75.00.  Of this amount, $50.00 is refunded only when the account is closed minus a final bill.  If you are renting or leasing the home, the total due is $125.00.  Of this amount, $100.00 is refunded only when the account is closed minus a final bill.  The deposit must be received in our office at least one day prior to the day you would like service to begin.  If you are mailing the deposit, please enclose a note with the billing information including name, billing address, service address, subdivision name, previous owner’s name if available, phone number and importantly the date for service to begin.  The deposit may also be made over the telephone with a Visa or Master Card during normal business hours.

These rates are for a residential, ¾” meter.  If the service is for a business or commercial building or if a meter has not been purchased for the home, please call Customer Service at 770-479-1813 to begin new service.

Q. How often is my meter read and when will I be billed?

CCWSA currently contracts out our meter reading.  Bermex reads our meters once a month.  The bills are generated from our office and customers should receive a bill every month.

Q. Where can I pay my bill?

Payments may be mailed to CCWSA, P.O. Box 5000, Canton, GA 30114.  Or you can pay in our office at 391 West Main Street in Canton during normal business hours 8:00am to 5:00pm.  Any past due balance should be paid in the office to avoid disconnection.  Please do not mail past due balances.  Payments may be made after business hours in our night depository located next to the drive through window at our office.  If you would like to have your checking account automatically drafted each month for your water bill, please call Customer Service at 770-479-1813 and ask for an automatic draft form.

Q. How can I find out when my last payment was received and what my account balance is?

We have a 24 hour automated information line for general account information 678-493-2292, or you can call Customer Service at 770-479-1813 Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.

Q. What do I need to do when I move?

Call Customer Service at 770-479-1813 and schedule a date for your service to be disconnected. 

Q. I need to have the name on my account changed due to marriage, divorce, or death?

Call Customer Service at 770-479-1813 to have the appropriate form mailed to you.

CCWSA’S Water

Q. Does my water have fluoride?

Yes.  Water provided by CCWSA contains about 1 ppm (part per million) fluoride, the level recommended by the EPA.

Q. Is there lead in my water?

Lead is not in the public water supply when it leaves our treatment plants.  However, if your plumbing lines have lead solder or fixtures containing lead, your water could contain lead if it sits in your lines over a long period of time.  Running the water for 15 to 30 seconds will clear out any lead that may be present.

Q. What does water hardness mean?

Water hardness is a measure of the mineral content of water.  “Hard” water takes more soap to create lather than “soft” water.

Q. How hard is CCWSA water?

CCWSA water contains about 1 grain per gallon of Total Hardness.  This is considered extremely soft water.

Tips for a Healthy Lawn

¨       Water slowly and deeply so the soil absorbs water 6” to 8” deep.

¨       Generally, an established turf area needs only 1: of water every 7 to 10 days.  Over-watering encourages shallow root growth, which causes the grass to lose its ability to survive drought.

¨       When possible, use more efficient irrigation systems, such as a soaker hose, or drip irrigation.

¨       Use an automatic time controller and attach a rainfall sensor to turn off the irrigation system if significant rainfall has occurred.

¨       Only irrigate turf in high-impact, visible areas of the landscape.

¨       Design turf areas in practical shapes that can be mowed and irrigated easily – avoid sharp angles and long, narrow strips.

¨       Fertilize less and use slow-release fertilizers.

¨       Reduce fertilizer application rate after establishment.  This is particularly important prior to or during dray periods.

¨       Leave grass clippings on the turf to help supply recycled nutrients and reduce the need for additional fertilizer.

¨       Raise the mower blade during dry weather.  Cutting the grass higher encourages deeper rooting, increases turf survival during drought, and reduces water demand.

¨       Always keep the mower blade sharp – dull blades shred leaf tips, causing the turf to use more water.

¨       Aerate when required to relieve soil compaction and increase air and water movement into the soil – especially on slopes.

Water Use Requirements & Drought Resistance

Of Turfgrasses Common in Georgia