The ACC Public Utilities Department's Wastewater Treatment Section ensures that the millions of gallons of water used in homes, businesses, and organizations throughout the County are properly treated and safely returned to our area waterways. The staff includes highly trained maintenance mechanics, lab technicians, operators and administrative support who keep the treatment system running smoothly 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Public Utilities Department provides wastewater treatment services for approximately 55% of the population in Athens-Clarke County in three service areas: North Oconee, Middle Oconee and Cedar Creek.  We are increasing the availability of wastewater service to about 85% of our citizens by constructing new sewer lines in unsewered areas and expanding capacity in areas that are currently served.

Our major wastewater treatment facilities, the North Oconee, the Middle Oconee, and the Cedar Creek Wastewater Treatment Plants, have a total permitted treatment capacity of 18.7 million gallons a day. The North Oconee and the Cedar Creek wastewater treatment plants are aging beyond cost-effective repair and will be replaced with new water reclamation facilities. The Middle Oconee plant will also be upgraded and expanded. The plants will operate with state-of-the-art odor and noise control technology and at a higher level of treatment. With this advanced treatment, higher quality reclaimed water will be returned to our area waterways. Construction will take place from 2007 to 2010.