Coweta and

Fayette counties soon could be entering an agreement that

could help alleviate Coweta's water problems until its

reservoir comes online.

Coweta

County Commission Chairman Vernon "Mutt" Hunter

announced this week at the commission meeting that he had

staged preliminary discussions with Fayette County

officials about purchasing water.

Coweta

would connect to Fayette County's water line on Ga.

Highway 54 in Peachtree City and be able to buy a maximum

of 1.5 million gallons a day for a two-year period.

In two

years, Coweta County's new reservoir will be up and

running and supplying nearly seven mgd.

Hunter

explained that if the deal is approved, it will be

beneficial to both parties.

"This

is an example of what a good neighbor Fayette County is

trying to be," he said.

Hunter

worked as Fayette County's public works director for

several years and is leading the negotiations because of

his contacts in the county.

If the

details are worked out, Coweta County would pay for all

hookup fees and pay Fayette County the current wholesale

water rate it charges other customers, such as

Fayetteville.

Once

Coweta's reservoir is in service, the county would not

need Fayette's water. But Hunter wants to keep the

connection as an added measure of insurance.

"You

can never tell when something's going to break. We might

even be able to help Fayette down the road," he

said.

If the deal

is completed, Hunter emphasized that it would not affect

Coweta's current water contract with the city of Newnan

or a potential contract with the city of Griffin on water

purchases.

With water

becoming an extremely precious commodity, Hunter wants to

make sure that Coweta is set to accommodate the growth

that is streaming into the county, along with any weather

difficulties.

"What

happens if this drought continues? I want to be

prepared," he said.

Hunter said

Fayette water officials will study the proposal and make

recommendations back to him to discuss before the full

commission board.