CHEROKEE COUNTY WATER AND SEWERAGE AUTHORITY

Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority strives to provide high quality water and sewer service to more than 64,000 residents in Cherokee County, Georgia.

The historic Etowah River originates in the mountains of Lumpkin County north of Dahlonega and flows in a southernly direction into Cherokee County. The Hollis Q. Lathem Reservoir is created from the waters of Yellow Creek, another North Georgia mountain stream. These are the main sources of Cherokee County’s excellent water.

The Cherokee County Water & Sewerage Authority (CCWSA) was established as a subdivision of the government of the State of Georgia by an act of the Georgia Legislature in 1955. This Authority was created for the express purpose of providing public drinking water and sanitary sewer services to the citizens of Cherokee County. CCWSA has performed this mission for fifty-four years, adding infrastructure and treatment systems in response to growing demands for services.

CCWSA is a public not-for-profit governmental entity tasked with the provision of drinking water and sanitary sewer services to Cherokee County. The Authority has no taxing powers, is not a part of Cherokee County government, and does not receive any tax revenue from county or city governments. CCWSA sells the services of high quality drinking water and efficient sewage conveyance and treatment, the charges for which go to pay on-going operations and maintenance costs. New customer connection fees are designed to repay any moneys the Authority borrows for capital improvement projects such as new or expanded water and sewer lines, or new or expanded treatment facilities.