Jones County Man Working to Get Water to Residents on Highway 49

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Imagine having to haul your own water just to take a shower, or wash your dishes. That’s reality for several Jones County residents living on one portion of Highway 49.

Mark Woodard is one of those residents. For five years, he’s been hauling water using a huge water tank because his land isn’t connected to the water’s supply.

“It’s a nightmare. It’s a nightmare that seems like it’s never going to end,” said Woodard, “It seems like there ought to be something out there to bring the water lines here.”

Over the past few weeks he’s put up signs and knocked on doors to rally his neighbors. He’s hoping Jones County leaders will help.

“We’ve got about 14 besides us that’s hauling water and having to ration water, having to go to town to wash clothes, and you can’t even flush the toilet, something just basic as that you can’t even do that,” said Woodard.

Even if it’s the middle of the night, Woodard says if the tank goes out, he’ll drive three miles down Highway 49 to a fire hydrant to fill up the tank.

“All the commissioners hearts go out to these people,” said Tommy Robinson, Jones County Commissioner.

Robinson says they can’t pay to fix the problem, because the water system isn’t funded by the county.

“The bad thing about it is that we can’t spend ad valorem tax money on water lines, and water systems,” said Robinson.

The commissioners suggested a well for the area, and water gardens to recycle rain water.

“The ground in that area, there’s a lot of clay in it, and water tends to rush off it really fast,” said Robinson.

Woodard believes there’s a better solution out there.

“I’m not going to give up, I’ll keep going,” said Woodard.

Woodard says he is grateful that he at least has access to county water. He believes if the water line were extended to his area more people would want to live and build along Highway 49.