Local leaders break ground on $500M I&D Water Treatment Plant expansion

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Local leaders broke ground at the I&D Water Treatment Plant Friday on an expansion project backed by more than $500 million of state funding.

The plant’s expansion plan aims to strengthen regional water supply through a three-phase project. The first phase is set to be completed by 2029, with the final phase beginning in 2040.

The initiative is a collaboration between the city of Savannah, Bryan County and Effingham County.

Chief of Water Management Ron Feldner said the collaborative effort is essential for the region’s water strategy.

“By sitting down and working together we’ve been able to set up essentially a municipal service strategy where we can most cost effectively and efficiently produce and deliver water to all parts of the region,” Felder said.

The I&D Water Treatment Plant celebrates 80 years of operation this year. Leaders say this project is the best next step in ensuring generational water supply.

Mayor Van R. Johnson II spoke at the event, and highlights the investment in the region’s future.

“This groundbreaking represents more than construction — it represents our commitment to the future of Savannah and the surrounding region. By investing in critical infrastructure today, we are protecting public health, supporting economic growth, and ensuring a reliable water supply for generations to come.”