About the size of Forsyth Park, it will provide an additional resource of fresh water that may be needed when the Savannah River experiences drought conditions at extremely high tides in hot weather.
Savannah expects to spend $300,000 a year to operate and maintain it.
(Photo courtesy of the Savannah District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.)
@MaryLandersSMN The City of Savannah is preparing to take ownership of a new reservoir built and funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in connection with the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project.
Savannah will be footing the $300,000 a year operations and maintenance bill.
The Corps of Engineers built the $43.5 million, 100-millon gallon reservoir at the urging of city water officials as a solution to potential drinking water issues that could result from the deepening of the Savannah Harbor.
“The reservoir creates a pool of water, approximately 100 million gallons, so if we were to have one of these extreme high tide events, we would be able to pull from that reservoir during the high tide event and not pull salt water into our distribution system.” But while federal and state dollars built the reservoir, the annual maintenance and operation bill, now estimated at $300,000 will be city funded.
And because water and sewer services in Savannah are self-funded, that means anyone who gets a water bill will be paying to keep the reservoir operating.
City spokeswoman Michelle Gavin offered no explanation for the 40 percent reduction.
“The City of Savannah is very much a part of everything that happens in this region, we want to be a partner, so in a partnership we understand that the Georgia Ports Authority is trying to get more cargo into the port, so it may seem that the city is taking on added responsibility, but it is important for this region that we support this project,” Lloyd said.