Savannah breaks ground on $146 million water project to secure long-term supply

The City of Savannah has launched a major water infrastructure project aimed at securing a reliable drinking water supply as population growth and economic development continue to accelerate across Coastal Georgia.

City leaders recently broke ground on the Industrial & Domestic (I&D) Water Treatment Plant Systems Improvement Project, a milestone investment designed to protect public health, strengthen regional water reliability, and support long-term growth. Officials say the project comes at a critical time, as water demand in the Savannah area is already exceeding the system’s permitted capacity of 58 million gallons per day.

The I&D Water Treatment Plant has served Savannah since the mid-1940s and is now nearing 80 years of operation. While the facility has long been the backbone of the region’s water supply, continued growth projected through 2055 and increasing limits on groundwater use have made expansion and modernization essential. Savannah is also relying more heavily on surface water sources, including Abercorn Creek, heightening the need for system upgrades.

Backed by approximately USD 146 million in state funding, the project will expand treatment capacity, improve reliability during peak demand periods, and add redundancy to reduce the risk of service disruptions. Construction is already underway, with key phases scheduled for completion between 2028 and 2029.

The Savannah investment is part of the Coastal Georgia Regional Water Partnership, a more than USD 500 million state-backed collaboration between the City of Savannah, Bryan County, and Effingham County. The partnership aims to modernize water infrastructure, expand treatment capacity, and strengthen long-term resilience across the region.

City officials note that the project is being delivered through a strong collaboration with industry partners, including Hussey Gay Bell, Black & Veatch, Garney Construction, Symbioscity, Coastline Consulting Services, Resource + Land Consultants, and Chatham Engineering.

In addition to meeting future demand, city officials say the improvements will help protect water quality and safeguard environmental resources such as the Savannah Harbor. Leaders including Mayor Van R. Johnson II and Savannah City Council describe the project as a generational investment that will ensure safe, reliable surface water supplies for Coastal Georgia well into the future.