WATER, SEWAGE & WASTE DISPOSAL
Water availability is important in the growth and development of the MSA; surface water in the MSA is plentiful. The Augusta Utilities Department operates one of the largest systems of water and wastewater facilities in the state of Georgia. Water is supplied by surface water from the Savannah River and well water from the crustaceous aquifer, mostly in south Augusta-Richmond County.

The wastewater treatment is conventional activated sludge, and there is a tertiary treatment through a constructed wetlands filtration system, one of the largest of its type in the country. The operation of the wastewater treatment plant is through private management by OMI (Operations Management International) as of August 7, 1999.

SOLID WATE DISPOSAL
Richmond, Columbia and Burke counties each have solid waste disposal services. See individual county sections for further information.

HAZARDOUS WASTE
The two closest facilities for the disposal of hazardous waste are Laidlaw Environmental Services in Pinewood, SC (83 miles) and Chemical Waste Management in Emelle, AL (405 miles).

ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITTING
Georgia offers one-stop permitting to facilitate the process of obtaining environmental permits from the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. One of the few state agencies approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to issue federally required permits, EPD vests permit authority in a single agency rather than separate departments, bureaus, or commissions as in other states. Georgia has compiled such an impressive record that it does not have to require Environmental Impact Statements. For many industries, this can expedite the appropriate permitting process by 12 to 14 months. Highlights of Georgia's consolidated permitting program include the authority to issue federal water, wastewater and clean air permits.

Georgia permits for the following:

• Air and Water Pollution
• Solid and Hazardous waste
• Ground, surface and drinking water