Tension eases in Cumming, Forsyth Co. water dispute

CUMMING - The Forsyth County Commission voted Thursday night to delay a scheduled discussion about pursuing legal action against the City of Cumming in their feud over water.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the county's vote followed a move by Cumming officials to delay a major rate increase one more time while the two sides begin formal mediation. That mediation is set to begin in mid October and will be facilitated by former Georgia Supreme Court Judge Norman Fletcher.

Forsyth County and Cumming officials have been at odds over the price the city charges the county for water ever since their old contract expired in May.

Cumming officials originally proposed to charge the county $11.4 million for upgrades to the city's new water intake facility on Lake Lanier. Forsyth County commissioners have argued that they shouldn't be held accountable for the increased price of the more treated water since they didn't approve or agree to the upgrades.