Featured Partnerships

Augusta—Georgia’s third-largest city—conjures images of gracious Antebellum homes and immaculate golf courses. While Augusta is home to numerous historic districts, its true claim to fame is the Augusta National Golf Club. The beloved course, ranked 3rd in the world by Golf Magazine in 2009, hosts The Masters golf tournament every year.

ESG’s partnership with the City of Augusta began in January 2010, when ESG Operations assumed operation of the 65 MGD and 300 acre wetlands treatment system which includes the J.B. Messerly WPCP as well as the Spirit Creek WPCP and the large Industrial Pretreatment Program consisting of 47 permitted industries. ESG also manages a very unique and extensive biosolids land application program involving more than 4,000 acres on behalf of the City of Augusta. The staff of 32 associates in Augusta operate the largest wastewater treatment facility subject to a public/private partnership agreement in the southeastern United States. ESG is a proud partner and supporter of the Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy focusing on environmental outreach and education initiatives.

Around the turn of the twentieth century, Barnesville was known as “the Buggy Capitol of the South” due to its impressive production of buggies (around 9,000 annually!). Today, residents celebrate their heritage with the nationally lauded Buggy Days Festival. Barnesville was also the birthplace of pioneering female NASCAR driver Louise Smith.

ESG’s relationship with the City of Barnesville began in October 2012 after transitioning this project from another contractor. ESG quickly engaged its engineering and other technical resources to dramatically improve the 6 MGD water and 2.4 MGD wastewater plants’ appearance and implement an aggressive operations enhancement plan. ESG’s efforts have produced greater operational efficiencies, significant cost savings, and numerous industry awards including Plant of the Year, Best Tasting Tap Water in Georgia, and Laboratory Quality Assurance. ESG’s in-sourcing capabilities and technical resources have also been a solid resource in supporting other City departments with stormwater monitoring, lift station and pump replacement repairs. ESG is a proud supporter of numerous community initiatives with local non-profit, environmental, and youth sports organizations.

The City of Commerce has a rich history as both a commercial and cultural center of North Georgia. While historically known as a booming cotton and textiles market, the City is also the hometown of authors Olivia Ann Burns and Mary Hood.

ESG’s partnership with the City of Commerce began in September 2013 after the City engaged ESG under an emergency services task order to assist in operating and maintaining its water treatment facility given the abrupt resignation of their only Class I Operator. Over the course of 3 months, ESG implemented an aggressive action plan that created operational efficiencies, strengthened compliance efforts, and produced over $500,000 in cost savings for the City. ESG finalized a long term contract with the City in January 2014 after winning a competitive procurement. ESG has continued to make significant progress on implementing its plan to increase system redundancy, bolster compliance efforts, and reduce operations and maintenance expenses. ESG has produced measurable and significant results for the City, and ESG has received GAWP’s “Plant of the Year” award.

Douglas is in close proximity to an awesome variety of museums and parks, including General Coffee State Park and Broxton Rocks. Broxton Rocks was named by the Atlanta Journal Constitution as one of “30 Natural Wonders in Georgia to See Before You Die.” Also, Douglas is the hometown of country music singer and songwriter Jennifer Nettles of the band Sugarland.

ESG’s relationship with the City of Douglas began in January 2015. ESG transitioned 27 employees from the City and our scope of responsibilities includes operations and maintenance of the water treatment and distribution systems, lift stations, and wastewater treatment and collection systems. ESG has produced for the City over $500,000 in savings by implementing ESG’s asset management plan and in-sourcing approach on repairs and capital improvements. ESG has also become a strong community partner by supporting the City’s S.T.E.M. summer internship program, scholarships, back to school supply drives, Miracle Field initiative, and many other community based organizations.

Forsyth County is home to Georgia’s beautiful Lake Lanier, as well as a burgeoning population. This suburb of Atlanta has been ranked as one of the fastest-growing areas in the United States—and is currently the 30th wealthiest county in the nation.

ESG’s partnership with Forsyth County began in January 2010 when ESG assumed operation of four wastewater treatment plants—which has since expanded to six plants. In January 2011, Fosyth County chose ESG to operate, maintain and manage the County’s 28 MGD Water Treatment Facility. Both the water and wastewater treatment plants are highly unique and complex. The six wastewater plants include activated sludge, aqua aerobics sequencing batch reactor and membrane filtration technologies. The water treatment facility features super pulsating clarifiers with ozone disinfection systems. The ESG/Forsyth County Team was awarded “Plant of the Year” for one of the WPCP’s in their first year entering the competition!

Located in Southeast Georgia, Hinesville serves as the county seat of Liberty County, one of only six counties on the beautiful Georgia coast. The City of Hinesville is also one of the fastest growing cities in the state and is home to Fort Stewart and the 3rd Infantry Division—the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi River.

ESG was selected by the City of Hinesville as their new City Services partner in September 2016 after a long history with one of our competitors. ESG is partnering with the City under a Public Works and Utilities Operations and Maintenance contract. In addition to the operations, maintenance and management of the City’s water and wastewater treatment facilities, ESG will also provide public works services including streets and drainage, stormwater, parks and grounds, fleet maintenance, sanitation, meter reading, and construction maintenance. On November 1, 2016, ESG will transition 92 employees from another contractor.

Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 125,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. It’s largest customer—the U.S. Department of Defense.

ESG began its relationship with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics after transitioning this project from another contractor in May 2014. ESG’s team provides frequent analyses on all parameters listed in Lockheed’s NPDES permit, in addition to routine and non-routine process control analyses. All of ESG’s laboratory data—chain of custody documentation, test results, bench sheets, safety data sheets, chemical hygiene plan, and all other site specific requirements—are housed in ESG’s Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) with Lockheed Martin having access to ESG’s system. ESG is also subject to numerous laboratory inspections and audits. Since the inception of our partnership with Lockheed Martin, ESG has had no reported deficiencies.

Called The City of Southern Living, Moultrie is a vibrant, engaged community that offers residents access to numerous festivals, a genealogy library, and even an Olympic Diving Facility.

ESG’s partnership with the City of Moultrie began in July 2015. ESG transitioned 23 employees from the City and our scope of work includes water and wastewater treatment, lift stations, water distribution and sewer collection systems, and elevated water storage tank maintenance. ESG also transitioned into Moultrie during the critical phases of several high profile capital improvement projects. On the 2.8 mile State Route 133 road widening project, ESG worked closely with GADOT and in-sourced all of the water and sewer main relocations and installations within the City limits. During the construction phase of the City’s $12 million new wastewater plant project, ESG has engaged its on-site and off-site technical resources to perform construction inspections and operability assessments to ensure the plant is built to specifications.

Ni Pacolet Milliken Utilities, LLC builds, owns and operates facilities that deliver low cost electrical supply, natural gas, nitrogen, compressed air, water and communications. Serving more than 45,000 customers in several South Carolina counties, Ni Pacolet delivers state-of-the-art water and wastewater services to this Southeastern state.

After transitioning this project from another contractor, ESG began its relationship with Ni Pacolet Milliken in February 2016. Ni Pacolet Milliken is a private, family owned investment company that owns and manages various assets in the real estate, energy, and infrastructure industries. ESG operates and maintains their wastewater system which consists of 3 wastewater plants and 80 lift stations spread throughout a 295 square mile service area. ESG’s team of 29 associates has significantly created operational efficiencies and stronger wastewater system redundancy by implementing a CMMS, self-performing numerous repairs, and returning multiple pieces of unutilized rented equipment. ESG has also performed a condition assessment and prepared a 12-year equipment repair/replacement plan. ESG’s in-sourcing and asset management strategy will minimize operations and maintenance costs, reinforce compliance efforts, reduce reliance on outside contractors, and prolong the life of Ni Pacolet Milliken’s wastewater utility assets.

Opelika is part of the Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Statistical Area, which was named by Golf Digest as the foremost area for golf in the country in 2005. Opelika is the county seat of Lee County, Alabama. Compared to the rest of the country, Opelika’s cost of living is 3.70% lower than the U.S. average. The City of Opelika is named to the list of 2016 Best Places to Live in Alabama by Niche.com, Inc.

ESG’s relationship with the City of Opelika began in 2005. With a staff of 67 employees, the scope of responsibilities includes full service Public Works including facility and fleet maintenance, operations and management of the wastewater facilities, lift stations and fleet maintenance. ESG was able to save the City over $748,000 during the first year of the contract through the implementation of ESG’s Asset Management Plan. ESG is proud to sponsor and support many of the local, civic and charitable organizations including Rotary Club, the Opelika Bulldogs high school football team, and the Billy Hitchcock Miracle Field, providing a sports environment for persons with special needs.

Perry is known as the “Crossroads of Georgia.” The city is particularly notable for its gorgeous landscaping: the Dogwood Festival, held every spring, celebrates the blooming trees and flowers that residents have taken pride in for decades. Additionally, Perry’s Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter host the state’s offical fair every October.

ESG’s relationship with the City of Perry began in July 2006 when ESG assumed operation of the City’s aging WPCP. ESG was able to successfully partner with the City to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant from a split-stream trickling filter to a fully functioning activated sludge treatment plant. ESG’s relationship with the City expanded in July 2007 when ESG was awarded operation of the City’s two water treatment facilities and again in November 2008, when ESG was asked to take over the City’s collection and distribution department along with the Industrial Pretreatment Program. ESG/Perry is the recipient of numerous industry awards including Plant of the Year, Collection System of the Year and Safety Plant of the Year. ESG is a proud sponsor of many local civic, professional and faith based organizations specializing in helping underprivileged children.

Rockdale County is known for its family-friendly community and outdoor recreation opportunities. The County also played host to the 1996 Olympic Equestrian events, held at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers.

ESG’s partnership with Rockdale County began in August 2006. The Rockdale County scope of services includes a staff of 26 associates responsible for the operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment system, 29 lift stations, an Industrial Pretreatment Program (including 200 restaurants) and a highly complex up-flow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) industrial pretreatment facility. ESG has implemented numerous significant process upgrades but most notably is the Almand Branch WPCP major maintenance rehabilitation upgrade which ultimately enabled ESG to save Rockdale County an incredible $4,700,000! ESG/Rockdale County has earned Wastewater Plant of the Year at two of the WPCPs. ESG is a proud supporter of the Rockdale County Youth Baseball League, Great American Cleanup, and Rivers Alive Cleanup initiatives.

Located in central Georgia, Thomaston serves as the county seat of Upson County, In recent years Thomaston has received national recognition for being named one of the 100 Best Small Towns in America. In 2002, Thomaston was also selected among 120 towns across the nation to be listed in Norman Crampton’s book, Making Your Move to One of America’s Best Small Towns.

ESG’s partnership with the City of Thomaston commenced on January 1, 2017, when ESG assumed operation, maintenance and management for the City’s water and wastewater treatment facilities, water distribution and sewer collection systems, five elevated storage tanks and 10 liftstations. ESG also welcomed 17 employees from these departments and transitioned 4 additional employees from other ESG projects. ESG is honored to serve the thriving City of Thomaston.

Tifton, known as “The Friendly City”, is defined by its heritage of hospitality. Tifton is home to the beautifully restored Myron Hotel, which was billed as the grandest hotel south of Atlanta after its construction in 1906.

ESG’s partnership with the City of Tifton began in November 2012, and at that time our scope included water and wastewater treatment. Over the past several years the City has increased ESG’s scope to include water distribution and sewer collection systems, public works, and natural gas. ESG’s staff of 95 associates has significantly increased efficiencies within these departments by implementing its computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) and in-sourcing approach. Within 4 years, ESG has saved the City of Tifton over $1,000,000, and produced 5 compliance and gas system of the year awards in water and wastewater treatment, and natural gas distribution. ESG also supports the City’s educational programs and routinely provides tours and educates students on good environmental stewardship practices and the various elements of water and wastewater treatment.

Tupelo’s most famous native is Elvis Presley, who was born there in 1935. Visitors to the Elvis Presley Birthplace can walk through the restored home where one of the world’s most influential and beloved musicians was born.

ESG’s relationship with the City of Tupelo has been a long and rewarding one beginning in January 2005. ESG assumed operations of the City’s aging wastewater treatment plant while simultaneously working with the city to assist in developing an aggressive plan for a new and fully automated wastewater treatment plant. The staff of ESG in Tupelo successfully partnered with the City during all phases of the new wastewater treatment plant construction as well as the demolition of the old plant. ESG now operates a 12 mgd activated sludge plant, over 80 lift stations and regularly provides technical and operational support to multiple surrounding communities and counties. In 2013, the City of Tupelo was awarded the State of Mississippi’s Outstanding Wastewater Treatment Facility by the Mississippi Water Environment Association. ESG is a proud sponsor and supporter of many local, civic and charitable organizations in and around Tupelo.

Vicksburg, a city of history, hospitality and so much more, is often referred to as “The Key to the South.” Located along the Great River Road at the crossroads of Historic Highway 80 and Highway 61, the City of Vicksburg offers local culture, character, art, entertainment and outdoor adventure. With sweeping views of the Mississippi River, Vicksburg perfectly blends Southern culture and heritage with exciting modern-day attractions.

ESG’s relationship with the City of Vicksburg began in September 2015 after the City engaged ESG under an emergency services task order to assist in operating and maintaining its water treatment facility given the recurring boil water notices. Over the course of 7 months, ESG implemented an aggressive action plan that restored compliance, strengthened plant operations, enhanced water quality, and numerous safety, regulatory, and maintenance issues were addressed. ESG consummated a long-term contract with the City in July 2016 after winning a competitive procurement. ESG is advancing its action plan and successfully implementing further improvements that create operational efficiencies and cross-training opportunities for maintenance, operations, and administrative staff.

Vidalia calls itself “the Sweet Onion City” after its most famous export. The Vidalia onion is the State of Georgia’s official vegetable, and is celebrated every spring in a five day festival. Vidalia is referred to as ESG’s flagship project—our first contract operations client. ESG’s partnership with the City began in June 2003. The staff of 33 associates in Vidalia, many of whom have been there since the project’s inception, are responsible for the operation of two wastewater treatment plants, 4 water treatment plants, 19 lift stations, an industrial pretreatment program, 80 miles of collection piping, 120 miles of water distribution piping and 155 miles of streets. The ESG Vidalia project has been awarded Plant of the Year at the federal, state and local levels and was awarded “Plant of the Year” in four categories in a single year!

Wakulla County prides itself on its unspoiled natural beauty. It is home to Wakulla Springs and a variety of festivals, including the Sopchoppy Worm Gruntin’ Festival and the more mildly named Wakulla Wildlife Festival.

ESG’s partnership with Wakulla County began in 2007. With a staff of 40 employees, ESG’s scope of services includes full service Public Works, operations and management of the water and wastewater treatment facilities, distribution and collection, lift stations, piping, and fleet maintenance. ESG has assisted the County with several major projects that have resulted in significant savings to the County. ESG/Wakulla was named the 2015 Wakulla County Chamber of Commerce Green Business of the Year—an award given in recognition of going “above and beyond the call of duty in being good environmental stewards in the community through aggressive recycling and dedication to household hazardous waste recycling programs.”

Warner Robins has received national recognition for the outstanding quality of life its residents enjoy. Business Week magazine named it as the best place in Georgia to raise a family in 2009 and 2010. Its also home to the Museum of Aviation as well as Robins Air Force Base, and is the supposed birthplace of the game of tee-ball.

ESG’s partnership with the City of Warner Robins began in August 2007 when the City contacted ESG requesting assistance. With only a two week lead time, ESG was able to assume operations of the City’s two large wastewater treatment facilities, 32 lift stations, 7 water treatment plants and 17 water wells. ESG has focused tremendous effort toward maintaining the facility while identifying key issues associated with aging infrastructure and preparing for major plant upgrades in both the wastewater and water divisions. ESG is a proud sponsor of many local civic, professional and athletic children’s clubs including Robins Gymnastics.

Waycross bills itself as “the Headwaters of the Okefenokee” due to its proximity to the famous swamp, which has an utterly unique ecosystem unlike anywhere else on the planet. It houses numerous attractions, including the Okefenokee Heritage Center and the Laura S. Walker State Park.

ESG’s relationship with the City of Waycross began in March 2004 and includes water, wastewater, as well as collection and distribution. Team Waycross (a staff of 26 associates) is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, two Water Treatment Plants, 28 lift stations, 160 miles of collection pipework, 300 miles of water distribution pipework, 2,480 manholes and 1,900 fire hydrants. ESG has been instrumental in alleviating the City’s chronic compliance problems which has resulted in savings to the City totaling in excess of $3,000,000! ESG is proud to sponsor and support many of the Waycross local, civic and charitable organizations.

Winder has a long and fascinating history. From the discovery of the native village of Snodon in the years following the Revolutionary war to the incorporation of the Town of Jug Tavern, and on to becoming Winder in 1893, the City of Winder has developed from a small settlers outpost to a city at the crossroads of Northeast Georgia.

The City of Winder partnered with ESG in August 2012 to operate the Highway 53 Water Treatment Plant, the Cedar Creek and Marburg Creek Wastewater Treatment Plants, and the sewer collection system which consists of 89 miles of gravity sewer, over 5 miles of sewer force mains and 11 lift stations. The City expanded its partnership by adding the Public Works Department to ESG’s responsibility in March 2014, which includes building and facility maintenance, parks, cemetery operation and maintenance, road/right-of-way maintenance, detention pond maintenance, stormwater system repair and maintenance, watershed protection plan management, street repair and maintenance, and street signage repair and replacement.