Funding for the expansion of the city of Buford’s water plant may come from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 that was signed into law on March 11.
According to information released by the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, funding from the act can be used by local governments to make investments in water, sewer or broadband infrastructure. The funding amount provided to the city of Buford is $4,890,435. The money will be dispersed in two equal payments in May of this year and in May 2022. The city has until Dec. 31, 2024 to use the funds.
Detailed guidance from the U.S. Treasury will be forthcoming.
The Buford Waterworks was built in 1934 on Lake Sidney Lanier to filter 500,000 gallons of drinking water per day, and in 1965, it was increased to 1 million gallons per day. In 1994, the plant began filtering 2 million gallons per day.
The city is currently in the bidding phase for the expansion.
