Small Georgia Town Faces 500% Water Bill Increase as Neighboring City Passes Repair Costs to Residents

IVEY, GEORGIA — Residents in the small Wilkinson County town of Ivey are bracing for a potential 400% to 500% hike in their water and sewer bills, after neighboring Gordon city officials announced sharp rate increases to fund repairs to its aging wastewater treatment plant.

For locals like Jennifer Barron, who has already seen her monthly bill skyrocket from $70 to nearly $170, the possibility of further increases feels impossible to absorb.

“So now we’re talking about 400 or 500% piled on top of that,” Barron said. “Yes, that’s going to be more than my electric bill. That breaks into feeding your family and paying for gas just to get to work.”

Sewage Treatment Dispute Between Ivey and Gordon

The financial strain stems from a long-standing arrangement between the two towns. For over 20 years, Ivey has sent all of its sewage three miles south to Gordon for treatment — but Gordon’s recent infrastructure overhaul has drastically raised operating costs.

In a letter to residents, Ivey Mayor Clinton T. Hardie confirmed that Gordon informed them in late September of the massive rate adjustment.

“In late September, we received a notice from the City of Gordon that our sewage treatment rates would be increased by four to five hundred percent,” Hardie wrote. “Note that Mayor and Council are attempting to negotiate these rates and will continue to do so.”

Gordon Cites Repair Costs and Safety Mandates

Gordon’s Mayor Aprill Adside-Smith has defended the rate hikes, saying the city’s wastewater system required major repairs to meet public health and environmental standards.

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs previously granted $750,000 for water system improvements, but officials say repair costs have far exceeded that amount.

“This was not a decision taken lightly,” Mayor Adside-Smith stated in prior public comments. “We’re working to ensure long-term sustainability of our water and sewer systems.”

Both Towns Feeling the Pressure

Gordon residents themselves are already paying more. Wanda Etheridge, who lives in Gordon but owns property in Ivey, said her own bills have climbed by at least $50 per month in 2025.

“My bill is at least over $100 every month right now, and it’s only two of us living in the house,” Etheridge said. “It’s not just the water — it costs more to use the bathroom just to send it down the road somewhere.”

Etheridge believes that while the upgrades were needed, the financial burden has been poorly distributed. “I think it’s just all about the money,” she added.

Ivey Residents Question Billing Fairness

Barron and other Ivey homeowners are also raising concerns about how usage is calculated — particularly for water that doesn’t go through Gordon’s treatment system.

“Maybe we need a better way of distinguishing what is water and what is waste,” she said. “I use a lot of water for my ducks and my pool — none of that goes to the sewer.”

Legal Authority and Limited Recourse for Residents

Under Georgia law, municipalities can raise water and sewer rates without a public vote, as long as they follow state transparency and notice requirements.

However, the Georgia Water Customer Bill of Rights Act mandates that all rate changes be reasonable, nondiscriminatory, and clearly disclosed. Customers have 45 days to file a formal appeal, prompting a required public hearing if disputes arise.

So far, Gordon city officials have declined public comment, and Mayor Adside-Smith did not respond to interview requests. Ivey’s mayor and council members have deferred additional questions to Gordon City Hall while negotiations continue.

Uncertain Future for Small-Town Residents

As the two municipalities hash out the dispute, Ivey residents remain anxious about how much higher their bills might climb — and whether they can afford to stay in their homes if the increase goes through.

“This isn’t just a number on paper,” Barron said. “It’s the difference between paying for water or paying for groceries.”

For updates on this developing story and more local coverage, visit SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.