FW: Upson Beacon: Upson Commissioners question water harvesting plan
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From: Mark Woodall <woodal...@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 8, 2026 6:58 AM
Subject: Upson Beacon: Upson Commissioners question water harvesting plan
Jones and Brue Question Water Harvesting Plan
Commissioners Air Concern About Project’s Effect Locally
Upson County Board of Commissioners: Front row, from left, are Upson County Clerk Jessica Jones, Commissioner Paul Jones, Chairman Dan Brue, Commissioner Ben Watson, and County Attorney Heath English. Back row, from left, are County Manager Lonnie Joyce and Commissioners James Ellington and Chris Biggs
Commissioner Paul Jones and BOC Chairman Dan Brue voiced concerns during a work session last week regarding a proposed project to harvest water from a spring in western Upson County.
In March, Upson Planning Commission recommended conditional approval of Ronald Ellington’s request to rezone his property on Crest Highway, adjacent to Crystal Springs Pool, to allow the project.
Reportedly, Niagara Bottling plans to harvest almost 100,000 gallons per day from the natural spring. State regulatory groups categorize the amount as “inconsequential,” but Jones and Brue expressed doubt.
“I’ve had phone calls about this, and I think we should have an independent hydrologist run tests for us,” Jones said. “I don’t want flow affected for people in that area and downstream. This is a big step for Upson, and we’re getting no benefit from it. Only the landowner will benefit.”
Niagara Bottling expressed interest more than a year ago in purchasing water harvested from the site, but studies and testing were necessary to determine quality and quantity of water produced, according to Ellington. During that time, he said he was bound by a confidentiality agreement with the company.
“We have a lot to talk about,” Brue stated. “Who owns the water? The state says it’s theirs. What is the use of the water? The state definition of ‘personal use’ doesn’t include monetizing the water.”
During the March planning commission meeting, presenters attested there would be minimal impact on traffic, all of which would be directed away from Thomaston. Company representatives committed to monitoring flow rate of area wells and halting withdrawal if residents’ wells were adversely affected.
Ten residents spoke against the project at a public hearing, and two stated “neither support nor opposition,” simply asking questions and stating concerns. No residents spoke in favor.
Brue cited a similar proposal in Pike County.
“Do we want to let it happen in Upson? They let it happen in Pike. They have one permit, but that person is not drawing the water,” Brue said. “The same person tried to get another permit on Prayer Mountain and they denied it. So not, Pike is getting sued because of fair and equal protection under the law.
“If one person is allowed to take water off his land in Upson, why can’t everybody?” Brue asked. “There are a lot of springs in Upson, and most are accessible.”
Brue emphasized the possibility of unintended consequences and uncertainty of venturing into uncharted territory.
“You don’t know what you don’t know, and there are a lot of things that could go wrong,” he concluded. “We need to have an open community discussion. There is a lot of interest on this topic in this county.”