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March 31, 2026

Chattooga County Approves Five-Year Water Rate Increase

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Chattooga County residents will soon see changes to their water bills after Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen approved a plan to gradually increase rates over the next five years.

March 15, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia Power Seeks Nearly $912 Million From Customers For Storm Recovery Costs

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Georgia Power is asking state regulators to approve a plan that would charge customers $912 million over the next four years to recover costs tied to Hurricane Helene and other major storms. The proposal, filed with the Georgia Public Service Commission, would add about $4.42 per month to the typical residential bill based on 1,000 kilowatt-hours of usage, with higher-use households likely paying more.

March 15, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

City Of Summerville Launches Water Bill Protection Plan

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The City of Summerville has launched a new Water Bill Protection Plan designed to help residents avoid unexpected spikes in their water bills caused by major leaks.

City Manager Jason Winters said the city has occasionally received complaints about unusually high water bills caused by leaks that went undetected for several days. The new program is intended to provide a safety net for customers in those situations while still encouraging residents to monitor their water usage.

Officials say the protection plan is designed to help cover situations where a major leak runs for several days before being discovered, which can cause water usage to increase dramatically. City leaders note that similar programs are offered in many other cities and say the plan is meant to provide peace of mind for residents while helping protect them from extremely high utility bills.

February 20, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia Power Promises Lower Rates, But Critics and Local Residents Say Bills Tell a Different Story

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Georgia Power has filed its expected Fuel Cost Recovery and Storm Cost Recovery cases with the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC), saying the combined filings could result in slightly lower electric rates for customers beginning this summer. However, critics and many local residents across Northwest Georgia say that promise rings hollow as power bills continue to climb dramatically.

February 7, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Construction Underway on 2,000-Foot Highland Avenue Sewer Line

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The City of Summerville has construction underway on a 2,000-foot sewer line extension along Highland Avenue, a project designed to strengthen city infrastructure and support growth in the area.

City officials say the sewer expansion will improve service capacity for current customers and future development, helping reduce dependence on septic systems where city sewer access becomes available. The project is expected to deliver long-term benefits by improving sanitation reliability and positioning Summerville for continued residential and commercial needs.

Work crews will be active along portions of the route as the extension progresses. Drivers and nearby residents are encouraged to use caution around work zones and watch for any temporary access changes while construction continues.