Permit Overview – Who is on the Permit, What are the Permit Limitations, and Where do we Stand?

Utilities, Inc. Of Georgia
12 Landings Way North
Savannah, Ga 31411
1-888-527-9707

Permit Overview – Who is on the Permit, What are the Permit Limitations, and Where do we Stand?

Utilities, Inc. of Georgia (UIG) provides water and sewer services to more than 4,600 customers on Skidaway Island, including The Landings, South Harbor, The Village commercial area, The Marshes, Grand Harbor, as well as Skidaway Island State Park and UGA Oceanographic Institute for sewer service only. UIG currently holds three permits with the State of Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division: (1) A Permit to Operate a Public Water System, (2) a Groundwater Withdrawal Permit for the water system, and (3) a Land Application System (LAS) permit for treatment and disposal of sewer.

The permit of most interest is the Groundwater Withdrawal, which has strict limitations. For many years, water withdrawal was not of particular concern since prior withdrawal limits were ample to be able to serve the communities at full build-out. In 2009, that permit limit was reduced from 2.6 million gallons per day (mgd) to 1.695 mgd which was one of the largest reductions in the Chatham County area. This significant reduction was due to overuse of the Upper Floridian Aquifer, which almost all of coastal Georgia and South Carolina rely on as a water source.

Prior to 2009 and in the immediate years after, UIG struggled to meet this new limit primarily due to heavy irrigation use on the island. In an effort to meet the new permit requirements, UIG, and The Landings Association joined forces and formed a Strategic Water Committee. The Strategic Water Committee, comprised of UIG staff, TLA Staff, TLC Staff and residential volunteers began to review alternative water sources, while implementing a rigorous conservation plan to reduce withdrawals. The efforts over the past 15 years have continued to payoff as the withdrawals over the last six years have consistently been 1.4 MGD, which is well below the limit of 1.695 despite a steady rate of growth on the island.

Efforts continue with conservation and review of alternative sources which not only requires the efforts of community volunteers and staff but requires the effort of every property owner on Skidaway Island to equally do their part to conserve water inside and outside their home.

Please feel free to call customer service (1-888-527-9707) or connect with us via the MyUtilityConnect app with any questions or concerns.