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About Dalton Utilities
A Premier Utility Service in Dalton, GA
We encourage website visitors to learn more about our mission, history, and the awards and recognition we have received over our 130-year history. Please contact us today at 706-278-1313 if you are interested in setting up an account, scheduling service, or have questions.
Electricity
Natural Gas
Water
Wastewater
Our Mission
Dalton Utilities is dedicated to serving the utility needs of our customers and community today and tomorrow.
Our Promise
- We will recognize our employees as our greatest assets and make their safety PRIORITY #1.
- We will deliver our services in an efficient, safe, and environmentally responsible manner.
- We will be courteous and customer-focused.
Our History
The Dalton Water Works was developed in 1887 at the site of the Crown Cotton Mill, the former hub of Dalton’s textile industry. What started as a small waterworks in the Crown Cotton Mill’s spring quickly evolved into a public utility service that would come to provide water, electricity, natural gas, and wastewater treatment to Dalton, GA, and the surrounding region.
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Dalton Utilities is governed by the Board of the Water, Light, and Sinking Fund Commissioners. Established in 1913 by an Act of the Georgia General Assembly, the Commission is composed of five members (appointed by the Dalton Mayor and Council). It is empowered to determine utility rates, control expenditures, and make necessary improvements/expansions to the various utility systems. Dalton Utilities receives no tax monies and operates solely on customer revenues.
By the late 1940s, Dalton’s carpet industry needed an alternative energy source that was both economical and efficient. After lobbying the Federal Power Commission to obtain a natural gas connection, Dalton Utilities was granted permission and began to serve as a natural gas service in the growing community.
In 1951, the Water, Light, and Sinking Fund Commission took over Dalton’s sewer system. Today, that system is the backbone of local industry. It includes one of the largest forested Land Application Systems (LAS) in Georgia and the United States.
Between 1960 and 1975, Dalton’s electricity usage exploded in tandem with the growing carpet industry. In 1976, Dalton Utilities purchased partial ownership of two nuclear plants, Plant Vogtle and Plant Hatch, as well as two fossil-fueled electric generating plants, Plant Scherer and Plant Wansley. Dalton Utilities soon became one of the four members of the Georgia Integrated Transmission System, alongside Georgia Power, MEAG, and Oglethorpe Power, which is known as the Georgia Transmission Corporation today.
At the height of the Internet’s explosion at the beginning of 1999, Dalton Utilities branched into telecommunications, offering broadband services to large industrial and commercial customers.
In 2003, Dalton Utilities launched OptiLink, a family of cable TV, telephone, and Internet services for residents and businesses.
Today, Dalton Utilities serves approximately 50,000 customers and employs over 300 area residents. In partnership with Georgia Power, we have also developed Georgia’s largest solar project on our Land Application System. We are continually committed to supporting our community, protecting our environment, and empowering our customers with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive.
Awards & Recognition
2021
Collections System Gold Award
Platinum Award for Freeman Springs Water Treatment Plant
Platinum Award for Mill Creek Water Treatment Plant
Platinum Award for V.D.Parrott, Jr Water Treatment Plant
2020
Platinum Award for Freeman Springs Water Treatment Plant
Platinum Award for Mill Creek Water Treatment Plant
Platinum Award for V.D.Parrott, Jr Water Treatment Plant
2019
Jagger Childers – Top Operator
Gold Award for Freeman Springs Water Treatment Plant
Platinum Award for Mill Creek Water Treatment Plant
Platinum Award for V.D.Parrott, Jr Water Treatment Plant
2018
Top Row – Jonathan Burgess, Leroy Terry & Brandon Posey // Middle Row – Joe Tankersley, Trystan Fossett, Loren Herod & David Miles // Bottom Row – Bruce Parrott, Robert Densmore, Kenny Stokes & Kevin Young
2018 Top Op Award for Wastewater Collections – Brandon Posey
2017 GAWP Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Year – Riverbend Wastewater Treatment Plant
GAWP Platinum Award – Riverbend Wastewater Treatment Plant
GAWP Platinum Award – V.D. Parrott, Jr. Water Treatment Plant
GAWP Platinum Award – Mill Creek Water Treatment Plant
Gold Award – Freeman Springs Water Treatment Plant
Gold Award – Loopers Wastewater Treatment Plant
Gold Award – Mill Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant
L-R: Micah Cartledge Rob Campbell, Bruce Blackwell and Jamie Cox
Best Internet Provider in Northwest Georgia
The Daily Citizen Readers’ Choice Awards
2017
Best Operated Water Plant of the Year – Surface Water 9MGD thru 14.99MGD – Mill Creek
Best Operated Water Plant of the Year – Surface Water 1MGD thru 2.99MGD – Freeman Springs
Best Operated Water Reclamation Plant of the Year – less than 1 MGD Advanced Treatment – Mill Creek Wastewater
Best Operated Water Reclamation Plant of the Year – Greater than 10MGD Non Discharging. – Loopers
Ken Helton – Top Op for Collections
Best Internet Provider in Northwest Georgia
The Daily Citizen Readers’ Choice Awards
2016
Gary Hill – Wastewater Collection
Todd Miller – Water Distribution
Matt Warner – Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations
GAWP Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Year
Riverbend Wastewater Treatment Plant
Best Internet Provider in Northwest Georgia
The Daily Citizen Readers’ Choice Awards
2015
District 1 – Tobie Burke (2 years in a row that DU employee won this award.)
Best Internet Provider in Northwest Georgia
The Dalton Daily Citizen Readers’ Choice Awards
GAWP Gold Award for the Wastewater Collection System
GAWP Platinum Award
All Water Plants (17th Consecutive Year)
GAWP Platinum Award
For the LAS (Riverbend and Loopers)
GAWP Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Year
For Loopers (Non-Discharging LAS Greater than 10 MGD)
GAWP Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Year
For the Mill Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant
1998-2014
2014
GAWP Platinum Award
All Water Plants
GAWP Platinum Award
For LAS
GAWP Top Op – District 1
Frank Kovach (Water Distribution – dual certified in Water Distribution/Wastewater Collection) & Josh Roberts (Wastewater Collection – wastewater collection certification)
GAWP Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Year Award
Riverbend Plant
GAWP Water Treatment Plant of the Year Award
Mill Creek WTP
Best Internet Provider in Northwest Georgia
The Dalton Daily Citizen Readers’ Choice Awards
GAWP Water Distribution System of the Year
2013
GAWP Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Year Award
Loopers Wastewater Plant (Non Discharging LAS Greater than 10 MGD)
GAWP Platinum Award
All Water Plants (15th Consecutive Year)
GAWP Gold Award for LAS
GAWP Drinking Water Taste Test Award
Mill Creek Water Treatment Plant – 1st Place in District #1
GAWP Ira C. Kelley Award
David White won this award for demonstrating outstanding accomplishments in operating an environmental laboratory facility.
Best Internet Provider in Northwest Georgia
The Dalton Daily Citizen Readers’ Choice Awards
2012
GAWP Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Year Award
Riverbend Wastewater Plant (Non Discharging LAS Greater than 10 MGD)
GAWP Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Year Award
Mill Creek Wastewater Plant (Advanced Treatment less than 1 MGD)
GAWP Platinum Award
All Water Plants (14th Consecutive Year)
GAWP Gold Award for LAS
3nd Year – Won 10 Previous Awards, 1999-2008
GAWP Water Treatment Plant of the Year Award
Mill Creek Water Plant (Surface Water 3.0 MGD – 14.99 MGD)
GAWP Drinking Water Taste Test Award
V.D. Parrott Jr. Treatment Plant (River Water) 1st place in District #1
GAWP Wastewater Collection System Gold Award
Best Internet Provider in Northwest Georgia
The Dalton Daily Citizen Readers’ Choice Awards
2011
GAWP Top Op – District 1
Dale Stanley (Class 1 – water operator)
GAWP Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Year Award
Loopers Wastewater Plant
GAWP Drinking Water Taste Test Award – District #1
Mill Creek Water Plant
GAWP Drinking Water Taste Test Award
2nd place in State – Mill Creek Water Plant
GAWP Distinguished Achievement
Best Innovative Water Education Initiative for “In the Know About H2O”
GAWP Platinum Award
All Water Plants (13th Consecutive year)
GAWP Gold Award
LAS (2nd year – won 11 previous awards, 1999-2008)
Leading Gas Distribution Utilities Award
Pipeline & Gas Journal
Best Internet Provider in Northwest Georgia
The Dalton Daily Citizen Readers’ Choice Awards
2010
GAWP Water Treatment Plant of the Year Award
Mill Creek Water Plant (Surface Water 3.0 MGD – 14.99 MGD)
GAWP Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Year Award
Riverbend Wastewater Plant (Non Discharging LAS Greater than 10 MGD)
GAWP Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Year Award
Mill Creek Wastewater Plant (Advanced Treatment less than 1 MGD)
GAWP Top Op – District 1
Howard Hunt (Class 1 – water operator)
GAWP Platinum Award to all water plants
12th consecutive year
GAWP Gold Award for LAS
(won 11 previous awards, 1999-2008)
GAWP Drinking Water Taste Test Award
V.D. Parrott Jr. Water Plant
GAWP Best Consumer Confidence Report
Leading Gas Distribution Utilities Award
Pipeline & Gas Journal
Best Internet Provider in Northwest Georgia
The Dalton Daily Citizen Readers’ Choice Awards
2009
GAWP Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Year Award
Loopers Wastewater Plant
GAWP Top Op
Rob Campbell (Class 1 – water operator)
GAWP Drinking Water Taste Test Award
V.D. Parrott Jr. Water Plant
GAWP Volunteer Service Award
Bronze Level
GAWP Platinum Award to all water plants
11th consecutive year
Leading Gas Distribution Utilities
Pipeline & Gas Journal
Best Internet Provider in Northwest Georgia
The Dalton Daily Citizen Readers’ Choice Awards
2008
GAWP Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Year Award
Riverbend Wastewater Plant
GAWP Top Op
Gene Peters (Class I – water operator)
GAWP Drinking Water Taste Test Award
V.D. Parrott Jr. Water Plant
GAWP Public Education Award
1st Place
GAWP Best Consumer Confidence Report
GAWP Volunteer Service Award
Bronze Level
GAWP Water Distribution System of the Year Award
GAWP Platinum Award to all water plants
10th consecutive year
GAWP Platinum Award for LAS
10th consecutive year
Leading Gas Distribution Utilities Award
Pipeline & Gas Journal
Best Internet Provider in Northwest Georgia
The Dalton Daily Citizen Readers’ Choice Awards
2007
GAWP Laboratory Quality Assurance
Drinking Water Laboratory
Leading Gas Distribution Utilities
Pipeline & Gas Journal
GAWP Water Plant of the Year Award
Freeman Springs Water Plant
GAWP Top Op
Michael Silvers (Class I – water operator)
GAWP Platinum Award to all water plants
9th consecutive year
GAWP Platinum Award for LAS
9th consecutive year
National Locate Rodeo
3rd Place Finish – Eric Atkins
GAWWA Safety Award
Riverwater Plant
2006
Certifications Obtained
17 employees obtained certifications in areas including water and wastewater plants, distribution, erosion control, backflow, and Professional Engineering
Best Internet Provider in Northwest Georgia
The Dalton Daily Citizen Readers’ Choice Awards
GAWP Platinum Award to all water plants
7th consecutive year
GAWP Drinking Water Taste Test Award
Freeman Springs Plant
GAWP Platinum Award for LAS
7th consecutive year
GAWP Best Consumer Confidence Report Award
GAWP Laboratory Quality Assurance
At Municipal Wastewater Laboratory
GAWP Water Distribution System of the Year
GAWP Wastewater Collection System of the Year Award
GAWP Wastewater Plant of the Year Award
Loopers Wastewater Plant
GAWP Water Plant of the Year Award
Mill Creek Water Plant
Smart Community
Dalton, GA named National 2006 “Smart Community” at the Digital Cities EXPO recognizing the forward-thinking associated with OptiLink’s widespread broadband access
2005
GAWP Best Operated Water Plant of the Year Award
Freeman Springs Plant (1 MGD to 2.99 MGD category)
GAWP Best Operated Wastewater Plant of the Year Award
Riverbend WWTP (Greater than 10 MGD LAS category)
GAWP Platinum Awards for all Water Treatment Plants
Six consecutive years of excellence in operations
GAWP Platinum Award for Land Application System
Six consecutive years of excellence in operations
GAWP Laboratory Quality Assurance
Drinking Water Laboratory
2004
GW & PCA Platinum Award for Land Application System
Five consecutive years of excellence in operations
GW & PCA Platinum Award for all Water Treatment Plants
Five consecutive years of excellence in plant operations
GW & PCA Wastewater Collection System of the Year
GW & PCA Water Distribution System of the Year
Damage Prevention Advocate Award from Utilities Protection Center (UPC) for Damage Prevention
First ever awarded to a utility
UPC Damage Prevention Advocate Award
Awarded to Dalton Utilities locator Ronnie Maney
GW & PCA Top Op
Danny Mathis (wastewater operator)
Recognized by the Department of Natural Resources’ Board
For our phosphorus reduction efforts
GW & PCA Laboratory Quality Assurance
Drinking Water Laboratory
GW & PCA Laboratory Quality Assurance
Municipal Wastewater Laboratory
Top 300 Gas Distribution Utility
Pipeline & Gas Journal
2003
GW & PCA Platinum Award
GAWP/GAWWA Plant of the Year
GW & PCA Gold Award
For Land Application System
GW & PCA Gold Award
For all Water Treatment Plants GW & PCA
GW & PCA Water Plant of the Year Award
Freeman Springs
2002
GW & PCA Platinum Award
GW & PCA Gold Award
For Land Application System
GW & PCA Gold Award
For all Water Treatment Plants
2001
GW & PCA Platinum Award
GW & PCA Gold Award
For Land Application System
GW & PCA Gold Award
For all Water Treatment Plants
GW & PCA Laboratory QA/QC Certificate of Achievement
In Category of a Wastewater System > 10 MGD
GW & PCA Public Education Award
Business Health Award
Keep Dalton-Whitfield Beautiful
First Step Award
Keep Dalton-Whitfield Beautiful
21st Century Green Salute Award
2000
GW & PCA Platinum Award
GW & PCA Gold Award
For Land Application System
GW & PCA Gold Award
For all Water Treatment Plants
GW & PCA 3rd Place Award in Water Taste Test
Freeman Springs
Keep Georgia Beautiful’s Litter Prevention Award
1st Place
Keep Georgia Beautiful’s Certificates of Distinguished Service
For Spring Creek and upgrades to Land Application System
1999
GW & PCA Platinum Award
GW & PCA Gold Award
For Land Application System
GW & PCA Gold Award For all Water Treatment Plants
1998
Consulting Engineer’s Council of Georgia, Inc
Engineering Excellence Award For River Road Reservoir and Pump Station
Contact Dalton Utilities at 706-278-1313 today!