Your Water - Where does it Come From?
The Jackson County Water and Sewerage Authority (JCWSA) serves as the primary municipal water supplier throughout Jackson County. While some municipalities operate their own systems, a substantial portion of the water they distribute originates from JCWSA. In fact, if you’re drinking water anywhere in Jackson County (whether in unincorporated areas or within a city) there is a strong likelihood that it ultimately came through the JCWSA system.
The majority of JCWSA’s treated water supply comes from the Bear Creek Reservoir and Water Treatment Plant, located in extreme southwest Jackson County. This 505-acre reservoir stores raw water that is pumped into the adjacent treatment facility, where it undergoes a rigorous multi-stage process including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. Once treated, the water is chlorinated and distributed through JCWSA’s extensive system to homes, businesses, and industries across the county.
The Bear Creek Reservoir and Water Treatment Plant are owned and operated by the Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority (UOBWA), an independent political subdivision of the State of Georgia. The Authority is made up of four member counties (Jackson, Barrow, Athens-Clarke, and Oconee), which jointly own the reservoir. Jackson, Barrow, and Oconee counties also share ownership of the treatment plant. This regional collaboration ensures a reliable, high-quality, and cost-effective water supply for a growing population.
| Reservoir | Treatment Plant |
| Athens-Clarke | Jackson |
| Jackson | Barrow |
| Barrow | Oconee |
| Oconee |
Jackson County’s share of the reservoir is 25%; its share of the treatment plant is 43.9%.
Questions on bylaws or specific policies and procedures of the UOBWA should be directed to the Northeast Georgia Regional Development Center in Athens at (706) 369-5650 or www.bearcreekwtp.com.
In addition to Bear Creek, JCWSA maintains operational flexibility by connecting to other sources when needed, such as during peak demand periods or emergency events. This redundancy further strengthens our commitment to dependable service for all customers across the county.