Oconee County Commissioners Agree to Five-Year Water Contract with Walton County

In a split vote, the Oconee County Board of Commissioners Tuesday night approved a five-year contract to sell Walton County half a million gallons per day of water pumped from Oconee County wells.

Commissioner Chuck Horton, , said at the meeting he was concerned because the utility department had changed its position on wells.

He said the utility department had argued against wells at the time the county entered into a contract to build the Hard Labor Creek Reservoir in Walton County but was now saying wells were a good source of county water.

Commissioner Margaret Hale said she didn’t like provisions of the contract that require Oconee County to reduce water to its own customers if it is forced to reduce water sales to Walton County.

Commission Chairman Melvin Davis said he was concerned because he wanted to keep Oconee County water for Oconee County citizens, but he broke the tie in favor of the contract after County Attorney Daniel Haygood said the contract allowed Oconee County to suspend the sale of water if necessary.

The contract itself is more specific. Yes, it includes "Act(s) of God" as an out.

For details, go to Oconee County Observations.