City of Bainbridge -

In 2021, the EPA revised the 1991 Lead and Copper Rule to strengthen the existing regulations and improve public health protections by focusing on identifying and removing lead service lines. As part of these Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), the City of Bainbridge was required to create a publicly available service line inventory, which identifies the pipe material of the public and private-side service line. The ultimate goal is to remove service lines that can contribute to lead contamination in drinking water. The City of Bainbridge was required by the EPA to classify all water service line in the system as one of the following by October 16, 2024: • Non-Lead • Lead • Galvanized • Unknown Within 30 days, the City of Bainbridge must notify the water user of all Lead, Galvanized and Unknown service lines that their service lines have or could expose them to lead and what the dangers of lead are (see notification letters attached). Galvanized service lines are categorized separately due to their potential to absorb lead particulates, and they are typically required to be replaced, as well. Our water system had the following results: • Non-Lead: 3,277 service lines • Lead: 0 service lines • Galvanized: 2,645 service lines • Unknown: 132 service lines The State of Georgia banned the use of lead in drinking water infrastructure in 1988. Lead service lines were primarily installed from the late 1800s to the 1940s. Next Steps 1. Notification letters are required annually for all Lead, Galvanized, and Unknown service lines. The Notification Letter Certification form is required to be submitted to EPD by November 15th, 2024, and by July 1st every year thereafter. 2. New customers at locations with Lead, Galvanized or Unknown service lines must be notified of their service line status within 45 days of starting service. 3. Under current EPA mandates starting November 2027, the water system will need to replace 10% of the Lead, Galvanized and Unknown service lines every year. The EPA Lead and Copper Rule Improvements are expected to be finalized soon and will enact new requirements for water systems. The compliance date will be November 1st, 2027. You can find more including FAQs on our website: https://www.bainbridgecity.com/o/bainbridgecity/page/water-service-line-inventory

Yesterday was Law Enforcement highlight day for the Leadership Decatur County program participants. The group heard from Director Frank Green, Chief Doyle Welch, Chief Investigator Mark Esquivel and Captain Ryan Wimberley who spoke to the group and then led tours of the BPS Training Facility and Fire Tower. Participants were then bussed to the 911 Center, Sheriffs Department and Jail and wrapped up the day at the active shooter simulator on the SRTC campus. Thanks to Day Chair Shae Campbell for organizing such a great day!

We're hard at work bringing fast, reliable fiber service to all areas of Bainbridge! Today, you'll spot our crews in the Lake Douglas, Lakewood Drive, and Mallard Trace neighborhoods, working with large spools of fiber, bucket trucks handling pole work, and splicing teams making connections at the neighborhood hubs. Thanks for your patience and support as we build the future of connectivity in our community! Stay tuned for updates and feel free to ask any questions in the comments!

The Safe Drinking Water Act and the EPA Lead and Copper Rule Revisions require every community water system to create a Service Line Inventory, where the water system will identify every water service line in its system and identify the pipe material of the public and private-side service line. As part of these efforts, the City of Bainbridge is undergoing a Service Line Investigation project, and, in turn you may receive a letter from Carter and Sloop, the engineering firm we contracted with for assistance. Carter and Sloop partnered with more than 35 communities around the state of Georgia and mailed over 75,000 letters to residents on those communities' behalf. We have added more information on our website regarding this inventory including a dashboard, map and resource tabs. You can find that webpage here: https://www.bainbridgecity.com/o/bainbridgecity/page/water-service-line-inventory The City of Bainbridge is dedicated to providing safe, potable water to the citizens of Bainbridge. Drinking water provided by the City routinely meets or exceeds federal and state standards, including maximum contamination levels established for lead and copper. In fact, the City of Bainbridge has never had a lead or copper violation during routine sampling. Additionally, the City has found zero lead service lines thus far in our Service Line Investigation.

Our next Comprehensive Plan Meeting will be held Thursday, November 21 at 6:00 PM at the Joe Sweet Jr Community Center. Come and be a part of the plan for the Bainbridge of tomorrow! www.bainbridgetomorrow.com

Do you reside on E. Louise, Hall, E. Pine, S. Russ or Botts Streets? What about Wisteria Drive or Rose Circle? How about S. Lamar Street or Julia Circle? Residents on large portions of these streets have fiber optic internet service from Bainbridge Fiber available to them now! Visit www.bainbridgefiber.com start your account all in one stop! For questions call (229) 248-2024.

The Wawa chain of stores opened their first Georgia location this morning right here in Bainbridge. Welcome to Bainbridge, Wawa!

We hope to have some really big news to share about the Bainbridge Oaks Disc Golf course soon, but, in the meantime, watch this great video: https://youtu.be/8ZaL3wMEttc

If you missed our Veterans Day Service in Willis Park, you can watch it on our YouTube channel here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr81zpU2h9k As always, we honor those who so unselfishly gave their all to us.

All non-emergency City of Bainbridge offices will be closed Monday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day. Residential trash pickup will be affected. Monday's route will be picked up on Tuesday. Tuesday's route will be picked up on Wednesday and so on. Should you need to make a utility or court payment, you may do son online or at the payment kiosks located on Broad and Clark Streets.

As of today, over 1130 addresses are available for fiber service in 5 zones with more addresses becoming available over the course of the next 2 weeks. Most recently, addresses in the area of Morningside Drive and Simms, Pine and Green Streets were added as well as Botts Drive, Stewart Avenue and East College Streets. Visit www.bainbridgefiber.com to learn more or sign up for service if you reside in an available area.

📢📢Aerial work has been completed and our crews will begin splicing and the testing process for residents on portions of Green, South Washington, South West and Bruton Streets over the next 2 weeks. Look for door hangers to notify you when the service is available for sign ups!

📣📣📣Residents of Stewart and Gordan Avenues, Botts and Woodland Drives and East College Street: Portions of your area now have Bainbridge Fiber service available to them! Visit www.bainbridgefiber.com and click the Order Now button to sign up today!

This morning, city officials and staff were invited to take part in the ribbon cutting of the newly remodeled Walmart store. City Manager (and former manager of Walmart Store 5422) Roy Oliver was asked to speak to the group on what an achievement this store remodel has been for their customers, Walmart associates and our region. It has long been a goal of our local officials to brand Bainbridge as a regional shopping hub and this store remodel, combined with the opening of the first Wawa and Rural King stores in Georgia and the announcement of Publix, have proven that to be complete.

Spotlight on service: Community Affairs Director Crystal Hines served as day chair for City-County Government Day with the Leadership Decatur County program through our Chamber of Commerce. Local elected officials, as well as staff, had the opportunity to enjoy lunch based on table topics such as millage rate and infrastructure. Following the discussion, participants toured our new Wastewater Treatment Plant and ended the day at the new shelter.

All non-emergency City of Bainbridge offices will be closed Monday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day. Residential trash pickup will be affected. Monday's route will be picked up on Tuesday. Tuesday's route will be picked up on Wednesday and so on. Should you need to make a utility or court payment, you may do son online or at the payment kiosks located on Broad and Clark Streets.

A heartfelt thank you to Boys Troop 502, Girls Troop 540 and AOL from Pack 519 for their incredible dedication in placing flags on veterans' graves in Oak City and Pineview Cemeteries. Your continued service and effort to honor our departed heroes each year is deeply appreciated. This meaningful gesture helps ensure that we never forget the sacrifices made by those who served.

Heads up! Residents on portions of Stewart and Gordan Avenues, Woodland and Botts Drives and East College Street will soon have Bainbridge Fiber available to them! Be on the lookout for door hangers when sign-ups will begin in the next few weeks.

As Veterans Day approaches, we’re proud to honor one of our most cherished traditions: hanging banners featuring our city and county government employees who are veterans. These brave individuals have served our country with dedication, and their contributions to local government continue to make our community stronger. Join us in celebrating their service and sacrifice! 🌟

Spotlight on service: Friday was one on our Sanitation Department's favorite days of the year! They visited West Bainbridge Primary School and demonstrated to the students their trucks in action. Thank you for the invitation WBP!