Augusta clears environmental phase for Woodlake sewer and water recovery project

Augusta clears environmental phase for Woodlake sewer and water recovery projectThe Augusta-Richmond County Engineering Services Committee has approved environmental work for the Woodlake Sewer and Water Project, which is supported by a DCA OneGeorgia Authority Hurricane Disaster Relief Grant. The work will identify wetlands and streams, support federal and state permitting, and enable the next design phase for infrastructure damaged or negatively affected by Hurricane Helene.

The approved environmental-services scope carries a maximum proposed fee of $30,500, including $17,500 of base work and up to $13,000 of contingent permitting services.

The broader project is intended to repair or replace about 7,000ft of water and sewer pipe in and around Woodlake.

Bluewater Engineering Services will delineate aquatic resources and seek a preliminary jurisdictional determination from the US Army Corps of Engineers.

The project has a $2 million grant and an approximately $900,000 contribution from Augusta Utilities' capital fund, according to the Utilities Department director.

Sewer work is the primary focus, while water-main replacement remains under consideration pending design and construction pricing.

Augusta-Richmond County’s Engineering Services Committee has approved environmental services needed to progress the Woodlake Sewer and Water Replacement Project, a Hurricane Helene recovery scheme supported by a DCA OneGeorgia Authority Hurricane Disaster Relief Grant. The approval covers work by Bluewater Engineering Services to identify wetlands, streams and other aquatic resources in the project area; map them using survey-grade GPS equipment; prepare an aquatic-resources delineation report; and coordinate a preliminary jurisdictional determination request with the US Army Corps of Engineers. The utility applied for the OneGeorgia funding for replacement work affecting approximately 7,000ft of water and sewer pipe in and around the Woodlake neighbourhood. The infrastructure was damaged or negatively impacted by Hurricane Helene, according to the agenda material. Augusta Utilities Director Wes Byne told the committee that the environmental work was required for wetland and streambank permitting associated with restoration work and sewer-line relocation. He said the approval represented the next phase of engineering services under the grant, while the department intends to undertake the design work in-house. The proposed environmental-services package has a total potential value of $30,500. Base services total $17,500, comprising aquatic-resource delineation and mapping for $10,000, a delineation report for $3,000 and the preliminary jurisdictional determination work for $4,500. A further $13,000 is contingent on final design requirements: $8,000 for a Clean Water Act Section 404 pre-construction notification and Nationwide Permit submission, and $5,000 for a Georgia Environmental Protection Division stream-buffer variance. The proposal also identifies an estimated $2,500-$5,000 budget for substantive regulatory requests for additional information, if authorised separately. The project area includes the Woodlake and Quail Hollow neighbourhoods near Tobacco Road, Windsor Spring Road and Fort Gordon’s Gate 5 entrance. The broader study area encompasses approximately 1,800 parcels. Commissioner Lonnie Wimberly asked whether the project could address streets in Woodlake where water lines have repeatedly ruptured. Byne said Augusta had already installed about 2,500ft of water main, but said the final extent of pipe replacement and road restoration would depend on construction prices. He described sewer as the project’s primary focus and water as secondary. Byne said the scheme has a $2 million grant, supplemented by nearly $900,000 from the utility’s capital fund. Once design is complete and a bid price is available, the department expects to have a clearer view of the final scope. The committee approved the environmental-services item without a recorded vote count.