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History

Home 5 All About NU 5 History

Lighting the way since 1891

From the first water supply in Newnan from Bolton Spring in 1893, to the first flicker of electricity that lit a downtown Newnan street corner, Newnan Utilities has been committed to delivering the services that enhance the quality of life throughout Newnan. In our second century, Newnan Utilities continues to light and lead the way.

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1891

  • Newnan had electricity for the first time in November 1891.
  • There were two streetlights in downtown and soon had electricity in homes and businesses.
  • The city adopted an ordinance accepting a proposition from the National electric Light Company for the erection of an electrical light system that consisted of 22 arc lights. The electrical lights were turned on one Friday night and were greeted with cheers from every part of the town.

1893

  • Newnan’s Water System had its beginning in 1893 when the City decided to capture the water from a small spring known as Bolton Springs and pump it, with steam powered pumps and without any treatment, to the City’s 100 customers.
  • It was also in 1893 that the first reservoir was constructed. It held approximately 1,050 gallons of water.

1894

  • The City constructed a 100,000-gallon steel standpipe, which was open at the top. The City received complaints about bad smelling and bad tasting water. It turned out pigeons that were sitting around the top of the tank and some had fallen in and drowned. This was probably the beginning of Newnan’s concern for a higher quality of water.
  • Water pipes began to be installed so they could serve private residences.

1895

  • In October 1895 sewerage had become a problem. The Mayor and Council ordered a survey for the installation o f a sewerage system. The system was completed in early 1900.
  • Newnan City Council voted to appoint a committee to negotiate the purchase of Newnan Light and Power Company. It was valued at $17,000.

1904

  • A bill was passed by the general assembly for the City of Newnan to purchase the electric light system; also, a bill to create the Board of Water, Sewerage and Light Commissioners, vested with authority to assume complete control of the public utilities and to operate them to the best interest of the city. The city then elected the first three commissioners.

1911

  • A well was bored at the pumping station on October 6, 1911.
  • This year marked the first major expansion of the sewage and water system.

1923

  • Robert & Co. Inc. of Atlanta were contracted to complete the construction work on the city’s new reservoir. It included the construction work on a dam and filtration water plant. It was completed at the end of 1923.

1928

  • A new lighting system was installed and was turned on for the first time on May 11, 1928.

1931

  • A contract was made in March 1931 for a new 500,000-gallon water tank on Madison St.

1937

  • The Harvey North Park and Playground was developed in July 1937.

1941

  • Newnan was faced with its most serious water shortage in the city’s history. This was in October of 1941. An ordinance was passed, making it illegal to water lawns or wash cars during this time.

1942

  • During World War II, Harvey North Park remained open, but no pictures could be taken as of May 1942. This was to protect the city’s wellbeing.

1944

  • Newnan Water and Light celebrated its 40-year anniversary. They hosted a fish fry at the Newnan Fire Department.

1954

  • An ordinance was passed on October 7, 1954, making water use for the purpose of watering lawns, gardens, or washing cars illegal, due to the drought in the area.
  • A site was purchased on White Oak Creek for a new water pumping station.

1956

  • Electric substation on Madison Street was built.

1961

  • Papers were signed to construct the most modern type of sewage treatment plant for the city. It was located on a 50 acre tract off Rosco Road. The new treatment plant placed Newnan in the forefront of Georgia towns having comparable facilities.

1963

  • A 400- horsepower water pump was installed at the Harvey North Park pumping station in September 1963.

1967

  • In February 1967, Newnan Water announced the signing of a supplemental contract for the construction of a one million-gallon capacity clear well.

1968

  • A grant of aid was received for the construction of a new water pollution control plant in January 1968.
  • A. D. Smith resigned as Superintendent. Carl Miller was named the new Superintendent.

1972

  • The following promotions were made in January 1972: Carl Miller, General Manager; John Landers, General Superintendent.
  • Hershall Norred was appointed to the Water, Sewerage and Light Commission.

1973

  • The City of Newnan provides water services to Shenandoah as of January 1973.

1974

  • Construction projects continue for an electric substation on East Broad Street and a 750,000-gallon water tank on Boone Drive.

1975

  • With the completion in 1975 of the Wahoo Creek Sewerage Plant, the Water, Sewerage and Light Commission was able to provide adequate sewage facilities for the entire city for the first time.

1976

  • A fifth reservoir with a storage capacity of 260 million gallons of water completed. At the completion of the filling of the fifth reservoir, Newnan’s supply totaled 900 million gallons of water.
  • There are now four large sewage treatment plants in Newnan – Wahoo Creek Plant, Mineral Springs Plant, Snake Creek Plant and the Southside Package Plant. Their combined capacity is 3,876,00 gallons of sewage per day.
  • The Newnan Water and Light Commission building on Sewell Road is completed.

1977

  • Received approval for two grants to build an additional raw water reservoir and to construct the Line Creek pumping station.
  • Reservoir #5 completed.

1978

  • Newnan Water and Light won first place award from the Georgia Water and Pollution Control Association for its water operations in December 1978.
  • It is announced that Coweta County would build a water system.
  • The NW&L Commission approved the purchase of a remote radio to improve communications between the services crews and the water plant, where night emergency calls were received.

1979

  • Water began flowing into the new Number Six reservoir.

1981

  • By the first week in June, Bullsboro Drive was fully lighted.
  • NW&L Commission retained ownership of a 12-inch Poplar Road raw water line and furnished only 200,000 gallons of water per day to the county for its proposed water program.

1985

  • A new $29,000 automated teller machine provided welcome relief from the long lines that once plagued customers waiting to pay their bills. Approximately 150–200 people are serviced daily at the window, and the new addition was accepted well by customers and workers.

1986

  • A new reservoir began construction in February 1986.

1987

  • Bids for a new dam began to be taken on March 31st. The dam is for the new billion-gallon reservoir. It is one of two new reservoirs being added to the city’s water system, bringing the number of reservoirs to eight and doubling the water storage capacity. Each of the new lakes covers 105 acres. The dam at the J.T. Haynes Reservoir will be 100 feet high.
  • Meter Readers will begin using electronic devices to read meters beginning on May 1st.
  • Customers can begin paying bills with a credit card in August 1987.

1988

  • The new J.T. Haynes Reservoir was filled.

1989

  • Newnan Water and Light voted to expand the Wahoo Creek Wastewater Treatment to 3 million gallons per day in August.
  • Newnan Water and Light will no longer run water lines outside the city limits. As of September 1989.
  • Dennis McEntire was named the General Manager of Newnan Water and Light.

1990

  • Carl Miller Park was completed in May 1990.

1992

  • Hershall Norred Water Treatment Plant dedicated.

1996

  • A project to light the Newnan Interchange at Interstate 85 and GA Hwy 34 is completed.
  • Newnan Water and Light announced in October 1996, they will now be offering TV and Internet. They will begin this process in November.
  • The first signal of NW&L’s cable television system flickered across screens at almost a dozen homes in December 1996 and reached most customers inside the city by early February 1997.

1997

  • Newnan Water, Sewerage and Light Commission continues with its cable television service, expanding its fiber optic network, and offering TV and high speed internet access.
  • Newnan’s new water tank began construction in April 1997.
  • Kid’s Castle began construction in October 1997.

1998

  • The New Water Tank was completed in February 1998.
  • Newnan Water and Light officially changed its name to Newnan Utilities in March 1998. They also designed the new logo, uniforms and a new slogan – “Making Technology Work For You”.

1999

  • Dennis McEntire was named Citizen of the Year in January 1999.

2000

  • Newnan Utilities ask for endorsement of 15 Million Dollars to expand utility’s fiber optic system.

2001

  • Newnan Utilities will allow their cable subscribers to monitor and control their air conditioning, lighting, and security from their home or office in November 2001.

2004

  • Newnan Utilities celebrated being in operations for 100 years.

2005

  • The new playground at Carl Miller Park was reopened on April 16th, 2005.
  • Construction was started on the pavilion at the cabin in February.
  • Bids were open for the upgrades at the Water Treatment Plant on October 8th, 2005.
  • Launched the new corporate website in November 2005.

2006

  • The town of Sharpsburg sent a letter requesting Newnan Utilities to provide water to them. A proposal was sent in January 2006.
  • Grading began for the building pad on the compost facility in April 2006.
  • Proposed intergovernmental contract between Coweta County and Newnan Utilities was approved on May 24, 2006.
  • First Compost mixing in October 2006.
  • Wahoo Creek construction was complete in August 2006.
  • State raises Water and Sewer rates in October 2006.
  • Construction on the new Water Distribution Center began in December 2006.

2007

  • Signed an agreement for Newnan Utilities for Reserve Capacity for Power for 2007 in January.
  • Internet rates increase on April 2nd, 2007.
  • Water Plant upgrades began around May 28th, 2007.
  • New phone/IVR/Call Center solution for Customer Service was installed in July 2007.
  • Newnan Utilities enters into an intergovernmental agreement with Meriwether County for decentralized wastewater on December 14th, 2007.

2008

  • Newnan Utilities sells the cable system on April 21, 2008.
  • Final bills were sent from Newnan Utilities on August 31st, 2008 for cable and Internet.
  • Newnan Utilities won the load for new Piedmont Newnan Hospital in September 2008.

2009

  • Dianne Parker became the first female Commissioner in January 2009.
  • Conversion began to a new billing system, DivDat. This will allow customers to pay their bills online. Completed July 13th, 2009.
  • Water Plant upgrade was completed September 2009.

2010

  • IT Department implemented the disaster recovery plan, started in October 2010.
  • Water Plant Phase two of exterior remodel continued through December 2010.

2012

  • Water Plant received 4th place in Plant of the Year competition for 2011. They were awarded in April 2012.
  • Newnan Utilities website was upgraded in September 2012.

2013

  • Motion was carried to execute an Intergovernmental Agreement with Electric Cities of Georgia on January 18th, 2013.
  • Renovation on the Warehouse and relocation of crews began in February 2013.
  • Renovation on the Warehouse were complete mid-September 2013.
  • To better service customers, Newnan Utilities opened the Wahoo Creek Customer Service Center in June 2013.

2014

  • New logo on Bullsboro water tank began March 2014, completed in May 2014.
  • Shade sails and splash pad are both completed in Carl Miller Park in June 2014.

2015

  • Line Creek Pump Station is completed in April 2015.

2016

  • Newnan Utilities sell 13 acres of watershed land to Corn Crib Substation on August 3rd, 2016.

2017

  • Customer Giving Program idea is presented to the board on January 26th, 2017.
  • Motion passed to begin the request for proposal process for Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project on April 26th, 2017.
  • Motion carried to obtain a 501(c)3 certificate from the IRS for the Newnan Utilities Foundation on September 15th, 2017.

2018

  • CSR begin setting up accounts for Caring Customers in March 2018.
  • Began accepting bids for the Mineral Springs expansion project on April 16th, 2018.
  • Herron Construction will complete the expansion of the Mineral Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant. Approved on June 15th, 2018.
  • Caring Customers gave their first grants in August 2018.

2019

  • Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) installation began in March 2019.

2022

  • Jeff Phillips was named the General Manager of Newnan Water and Light.