Hemphill pump upgrades would get $1.57 million from water reserves

Atlanta proposes to move $1,572,818 from Watershed reserves into upgrades at the Hemphill Water Treatment Plant Pump Station—a project the city says would help keep drinking-water pressure reliable and increase water available for firefighting.⁠[1]

The work includes replacing three variable-frequency drives, three pump-control check valves and associated valve actuators. Pump No. 2’s manual inlet valve would become motorized. The project also calls for backup control processors and improved pressure-and-flow monitoring.⁠[1]

The ordinance describes the added redundancy as a way to maintain water pressure and reduce the risk of boil-water advisories. Those are the city’s stated benefits of the improvements, not a finding that a new water-quality emergency has occurred.⁠[1]

Ordinance 26-O-1636 would transfer the money within the fiscal 2027 Water & Wastewater Renewal and Extension Fund. Its accounting tables identify the funding source as released debt-service reserve money. The ordinance describes the project’s scope but does not explain why this additional amount is needed or give a construction schedule.⁠[1]

This remains a proposal, not final spending approval. It appears under first-reading ordinances in the City Utilities Committee’s November 10, 2026, draft minutes. The accompanying legislative history lists the Atlanta City Council step as pending for November 16 at 1 p.m.⁠[1][2]