Commissioners flag long-running drainage and stormwater problems, discuss Army Corps and grant options

During discussion following formal agenda items, Ware County commissioners devoted an extended portion of the June 26 meeting to chronic drainage and stormwater issues affecting the county and the city of Waycross. Commissioners described canals installed in the 1920s and narrowed over time by development, leading to standing water in streets and neighborhoods after heavy rains.

Commissioners and staff discussed a multi-step approach: (1) coordinate with city leadership and the city engineer to secure buy‑in for a joint effort; (2) commission an initial engineering study to assess existing conveyance capacity and catch basin conditions; (3) pursue permitting and potential technical assistance through the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for work in regulated waterways; and (4) identify funding sources such as FEMA, state grants, and other discretionary programs for design and construction.

Speakers emphasized maintenance first as a near‑term mitigation: clearing catch basins and enforcing ordinances that prohibit yard debris from being blown into streets would reduce sediment and organic material that clogs conveyances. Longer‑term reconstruction — widening canals and building retention ponds across multiple parcels — was described as costly and complicated by houses and other development located near canal right‑of‑way.

Committee members also raised related facility concerns: courthouse water and sewer piping is aging and may require a full replacement; staff said the county could use remaining SPLOST balances for building repairs and could investigate state funding streams tied to lead service line inventories and replacements where lead fittings are present. Staff committed to producing estimates, checking grant eligibility for lead line replacement, and returning with recommendations.

Next steps
Staff will coordinate with city officials, arrange preliminary engineering assessments, and investigate EPD/Corps permitting requirements and potential funding programs. The county will also evaluate short‑term maintenance actions (catch basin clearing and enforcement) to reduce near‑term flooding risk.

Speakers referenced in this article: Chair and multiple commissioners (discussion participants), county staff and public works staff (engineering/maintenance), county manager.