The City of Summerville is moving forward with another project aimed at improving the city’s drinking water system, according to records from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.

Georgia EPD issued a Categorical Exclusion Determination on July 8 for Summerville’s planned replacement of a groundwater storage tank and water main in Chattooga County. The project is identified as Georgia Environmental Finance Authority Project DW2025023 and is being considered for financing through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund provides financing to communities for improvements needed to maintain and upgrade public drinking-water infrastructure.

The EPD determination is part of the environmental review process associated with that financing. A categorical exclusion generally means the agency has determined that the project does not require preparation of a more extensive environmental review.

Summerville has undertaken a number of projects in recent years aimed at improving and strengthening its water system. Previous work has included development of additional groundwater sources and installation of infrastructure needed to connect those sources with the city’s water system. EPD records show an earlier Summerville project included two deep wells capable of producing at least 700 gallons per minute each and approximately 1,000 feet of raw-water line.

The latest project is specifically identified by the state as the replacement of a groundwater storage tank and water main.

The July environmental determination represents another step in the process as Summerville works through the state financing and environmental-review requirements associated with the project.