The city of

Senoia can now open up its water plant easier.

That's the

assessment of the Coweta County Commission after giving final approval

to altering its water contract with the city.

In the contract,

Senoia is obligated to purchase a minimum amount of water from the county

whether it uses the water or not. The city has been purchasing all of

its water from the county for the past few years after a tropical storm

destroyed the city's reservoir.

But Senoia

recently learned that it could get its treatment plant back up and running

for just over $150,000 and also produce water cheaper than it buys it

from the county.

Commission

Chairman Vernon "Mutt" Hunter has been at odds with Senoia Mayor

Joan Trammell on several issues lately, but said this should help the

city decide whether it wants to get back into the water business.

In fact last

week, Hunter made a motion to allow the city out of its current contract,

but Trammell said the city doesn't want to get out of the contract. The

city wants the contract altered so that there is no minimum.

Trammell said

the city is seeking a $100,000 loan to help fund the project and said

the plant could be running within six months.

"This

would just supplement our agreement with the county," she said.

The other commissioners

agreed with Hunter and approved the contract change, except Commissioner

Robert Wood, who abstained from the vote.

Wood said he

favors all parties in the county coming to the table and discussing water

issues, instead of dealing with them on an individual basis.