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About Dalton Utilities

A Premier Utility Service in Dalton, GA

Dalton Utilities is a full-service municipal utility service supplying the City of Dalton with electricity, gas, water, and sewer services. We supply water to all of Whitfield County and parts of Murray and Catoosa Counties and deliver natural gas to portions of Whitfield, Gordon, and Floyd Counties.

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

Mission and Promise | Dalton, GA ❘ Dalton Utilities

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.

We look forward to serving you!

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.

Ready to get started with Dalton Utilities?

Awards & Recognition

Over the course of a century, Dalton Utilities and OptiLink have gained state and national recognition as a premier utility and telecommunications service. We couldn’t do it without our team members ‒ and we look forward to what the future has in store for us!

2021

Jeff Carroll – Top Operator (District 1)

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

Collections System Platinum Award

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

Utility Service in Dalton, GA ❘ Dalton Utilities
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

Utility Company in Dalton, GA ❘ Dalton Utilities
L-R: Micah Cartledge Rob Campbell, Bruce Blackwell and Jamie Cox

Best Internet Provider in Northwest Georgia
The Daily Citizen Readers’ Choice Awards

2017

Utility Service in Dalton, GA ❘ Dalton Utilities

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

GAWP Top Op Awards for District I
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

GAWP Wastewater Collection System Operator of the Year
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