Georgetown Municipal Water and Sewer Service Reports Significant Growth in Connections and Financial Stability Despite Drought Challenges

Georgetown, Kentucky – The Georgetown Municipal Water and Sewer Service (GMWSS) has reported significant growth in water and sewer connections during the current fiscal year. As of October 30, the utility has established 165 new sewer connections and 87 new water connections, a marked increase compared to last year’s figures of 68 sewer and 38 water connections for the same period.

According to GMWSS Finance Director Jeff Nutter, the utility generated $310,251.28 in sewer connection fees, surpassing the budgeted revenue of $175,000. Meanwhile, water connection fees have reached $158,050, just shy of the projected amount for the fiscal year. Overall, GMWSS now serves 15,223 sewer customers and 15,791 water customers.

Financially, GMWSS has reported total revenue of $7.6 million, exceeding the expected $6.3 million, with expenditures at $5.3 million, below the anticipated $6.2 million. The only area exceeding budget is in water purchases, attributed to ongoing drought conditions impacting Royal Spring production. “The last two months we were getting around 2.1 million gallons a day from the spring, but we can now extract a maximum of 3.7 million gallons,” stated Operation Manager Dudley Burberry.

Despite the challenges posed by drought, GMWSS concluded October with 182.5 days of cash on hand, approaching their six-month target. General Manager Chase Azevedo noted the improvement over the past six years, growing from just nine days of cash on hand in 2018 to the current figure. This financial stability is critical as the utility prepares for a bond issue to fund the new Waste Water Treatment Plant One.

During a recent board meeting, GMWSS received a clean audit, indicating strong internal controls and financial practices. Heather Cochran, a partner at RFH Certified Public Accountants, remarked, “It’s a clean opinion, which is what you are looking for — no real significant recommendations.” The next board meeting is scheduled for December 17 at noon at the GMWSS building.

On a lighter note for the community, Georgetown experienced its first snowfall of the season on Thursday, marking the transition into winter.