Departments
Water Distribution
The water distribution system is the link that connects the residents of Macon and Bibb County to their local water supply. This intricate network of reservoir, treatment plant, and pipes, and storage facilities work to deliver safe, potable drinking water to the more than 54,000 customers of the MWA. The MWA provides its customers with an average of 34 million gallons of finished drinking water every day, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The finished drinking water leaving the Frank C. Amerson, Jr. Water Treatment Plant is delivered to customers through a system of approximately 1,600 miles of water main. The MWA has mains ranging in size from 1½ inch up to 36 inches.
Not all water that is treated is delivered straight to customers — some is stored in seven elevated storage tanks and 10 ground storage tanks, as well as four clear wells at the Amerson Plant. These collectively hold over 35 million gallons of water in storage.
Aiding in water distribution throughout the MWA system are seven re-pumping stations, which boost pressure in the system, including the water accessible through the 3,000 to 5,000 fire hydrants. These re-pumping stations ensure that there is sufficient pressure to service customers in the other zones, regardless of their elevation or distance from the plant. Water pressure can vary depending on certain characteristics. The pressure in the Macon area can be as low as 35 pounds and as high as 120 pounds. The MWA is required to have a minimum of 20 pounds of pressure to meet fire-fighting regulations.
There are over 54,000 water meters on the MWA system. All meters that are 2 inches and smaller are replaced every 15 years. Larger meters are tested and repaired on an as-needed basis. The pre-calibrated measuring units on the meters for the largest water use customers are generally replaced every year.
An advanced SCADA system is located within the Amerson Plant Administration Building, for monitoring and control of all re-pump and lift stations, as well as elevated and ground storage tanks across Macon and Bibb County. The Administration Building also houses an on site MWA water quality lab, for testing and monitoring the quality of water during all phases of drinking water production, from raw water intake to potable water leaving the plant and passing through the distribution system.
Public Access to MWA facilities
The MWA Amerson Plant and Javors J. Lucas Lake were also constructed with public access and public education in mind. Plant tours are currently available upon request of the Plant Operations Director. In addition, the reservoir and surrounding grounds have been prepared for public fishing, and there is potential for other amenities in the future. The Authority is also working with the organizers of the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail to provide an extension to the site where the old Riverside Drive Water Treatment Facility was located, as it is being cleared and prepared to one day feature a public park.
For more information on the Water Distribution System at the MWA, please contact Ray Shell at (478) 464-5637.