Aging Water Lines Cause Repeated Leaks in Towns County

HIAWASSEE, Ga.— Aging water pipes in Towns County are causing frequent leaks, with road construction in Young Harris and recent breaks in Hiawassee adding to the strain on the county's outdated infrastructure.

In Hiawassee, a 30-year-old valve broke on Aug. 16 near Bell Street, disrupting service. Another leak occurred on Aug. 27 at Monte Alban, followed by a break the next day, Aug. 28, across the street at The Antique Mall, both requiring swift repairs. A planned outage on Aug. 26 also addressed ongoing maintenance needs. In Young Harris, construction crews struck water lines on May 23 near Highway 76 and on July 24 near Ashley Circle. A major break on Aug. 12, 2024, in Crooked Creek left 1,800 residents without water for hours.

Towns County’s water system, with pipes over 30 years old, is struggling. The county is trying, but funding for larger upgrades remains limited. Rural Georgia faces similar challenges, with aging pipes vulnerable to heavy rains and wear.

Hiawassee Mayor Jay Chastain is urging residents to report leaks quickly. While no major damage or injuries have been reported, outages and boil-water advisories are frustrating communities.

While officials with both cities and the county are trying to come up with solutions, with limited funding and a system aging more by the day, the water situation in Towns County could get worse before it gets better.