The City of Savannah has begun work on a major water infrastructure project at the Industrial and Domestic (I&D) Water Treatment Plant. The groundbreaking ceremony took place with the attendance of city officials, state representatives, regional partners, and utility leaders. The event also marked 80 years since the I&D Water Treatment Plant began serving the community.
Key speakers at the ceremony included Mayor Van R. Johnson II, Senators Derek Mallow and Ben Watson, City Manager Jay Melder, Chief of Water Resources Ron Feldner, and Hussey Gay Bell CEO G. Holmes Bell IV.
The project is part of a larger effort to improve water infrastructure across Coastal Georgia. The state has allocated over $500 million for regional water supply initiatives, with about $146 million specifically directed toward projects in Savannah.
Mayor Van R. Johnson II said, “This groundbreaking represents more than construction — it represents our commitment to the future of Savannah and the surrounding region. By investing in critical infrastructure today, we are protecting public health, supporting economic growth, and ensuring a reliable water supply for generations to come.”
City Manager Jay Melder added, “This project reflects years of planning and collaboration at the regional level, and visionary leadership from local and state officials. The expansion of Savannah’s surface water treatment plant is a big piece of a regional partnership designed to solve a generational problem facing our community. This signature project positions us to meet needs and opportunities of our future.”
The I&D Water Treatment Plant has been an essential part of Savannah’s water system since the 1940s. The new project aims to increase system redundancy and reinforce Savannah’s position as a key provider of water in the region.
