Private Wastewater Treatment:

It has been the City’s policy for many years to deny requests from developers to install new private wastewater treatment facilities within the City’s Water and Sewer Service Area (WSSA). Private wastewater treatment facilities are generally operated and owned by either a private individual or a corporation that is in business to make a profit. It is the City’s opinion that private wastewater facilities are not in the best interest of our community. Especially after the facility has been in operation for 20 to 25 years, which is when equipment begins to wear out and needs to be replaced.

When these facilities cease to be a money making operation, who will foot the bill to repair or replace the system? 

The City has successfully decommissioned both the Habersham and the Lanier Beach South private wastewater treatment facilities within our Water and Sewer Service Area. Thankfully, there are no more private facilities inside the City’s WSSA.

Lanier Beach South (LBS) WWTP

The Lanier Beach South Wastewater Treatment Facility was purchased by the City in 2004 and decommisioned in 2015. This facility was constructed in 1970 and was capable of treating up to 38,000 gallons per day (gpd).

The original owners of the private Lanier Beach South facility were from Germany and had decided to invest in the real estate market in the US during the early 1970s.

Habersham On Lanier WWTP

The Habersham on Lanier WWTP was built in the early 1970s for the following subdivisions: Habersham on Lanier, Habersham at Lanier, Habersham Condominiums, and the Townhomes At Lanier. The Habersham WWTP facility was decommissioned by the City of Cumming in 2018. This facility was permitted to treat 110,000 gallons per day and discharged directly into Lake Lanier, the primary drinking water source for the City of Cumming, Forsyth County and other cities and counties around the Lake.

The original owners of the Habersham on Lanier WWTP were partners in a corporation which included the owners of John Wieland Homes.

Above, the Lanier Beach South WWTP was in operation for over 45 years and discharged treated effluent directly into Lake Lanier. The City decommissioned this dilapidated facility in 2015.

The City removed the LBS discharge pipe from Lake Lanier in 2015.

Habersham WWTP rusted-out pump station 2016

Above, the Habersham WWTP was in operation for approximately 48 years, since the early 1970s, and discharged directly into Lake Lanier. The City decommissioned this dilapidated facility in 2018.