Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff is on the move to secure a $20 million injection for East Point's water infrastructure, aiming to directly address a basic need amongst his constituents. The designated funds, as proposed in the East Point Water Infrastructure Enhancement Act, are marked for an overhaul of the city's water treatment systems. This investment is seen as a critical step not just for improving water quality, but for ensuring the resilience of the community's lifelines.
East Point, a city that directly supports approximately 70,000 residents, stands to greatly benefit from these federal dollars. In an effort to start to fully address its aging water systems, the city has identified key priorities, reported to include water main replacements and upgrades to their sewer systems. As Melissa Echevarria, East Point’s water resources director, explained in an interview with GPB, these improvements are aimed to "protect our creeks and waterways for our residents."
Ossoff is driving the point home that clean water is not just another checkbox on the endless list of municipal improvements – it’s a non-negotiable foundation for health and wellbeing. In his remarks, he stressed the critical nature of reliable water services, especially "for children, for families with small children, for seniors, for businesses in the community," according to GPB. Recognizing the urgency, Ossoff champions the Army Corps of Engineers to manage the improvement projects, as highlighted by his recent legislative efforts.
The funds are to be a part of a larger pool within the Water Resources Development Act slated for Senate consideration later this year. Ossoff, looking to avoid the emergency situations synonymous with water crises in other cities, declared the irrefutable need for investment, saying, "Clean, safe, healthy drinking water is not a luxury. It's a necessity," during his address, as reported by GPB. The proposed funding stands as a testament to the ongoing need to elevate infrastructure to meet the essential needs of all citizens.
