Coweta's future source

of water may be the big water to the south West Point Lake.

During Tuesday afternoon's joint meeting of the Coweta County commissioners

and the Newnan Utilities Board, both sides agreed that down the

road, the county needs to be looking at the huge water source that

straddles the Alabama line.

As drought conditions have persisted this summer, Newnan Utilities

general manager Dennis McEntire has watched the county's reservoirs

dip down.

"If we don't have anymore rain this year, we can only last

until December," said McEntire.

Coweta County purchases its water from Newnan Utilities and called

Tuesday's meeting to get an overall view of the county's water situation.

This year, the county's highest water usage was in April and May,

with an average 10.5 million gallons a day used, said the utilities

chief.

The peak day was 13.2 mgd, which puts the usage perilously close

to the system's peak capacity of 14 mgd.

"If our peak level goes up as much next year as it did this

year, we will not be able to meet it," said McEntire.

McEntire added it's critical that another water source be obtained

said the county's deal with Fayette County should be completed by

next spring. The county is working on obtaining 1.5 million gallons

a day from Fayette County until Coweta's new reservoir comes on

line in 2003.

Hunter also said it might be possible to get water from Atlanta,

since Fayette County is hooked up to Atlanta water lines.

"We would have to do a three-party contract," he said.

The county is also pursuing water from Spalding County that should

be available in 2002. But in long range planning, Coweta will need

more water because of the explosive growth predicted.

Members of the commission and Newnan Utilities both agreed that

West Point Lake is the best choice and agreed to start planning

for getting cost estimates and determining how the county could

obtain the water.