Macon Water Authority seizes farm land in effort to to fix south Bibb flooding

The Macon Water Authority Board voted Thursday night to condemn more than 20 acres belonging to two families – including a south Macon farmer whose family has tilled the land for generations – so it can install a drainage pipe to help fix widespread flooding issues affecting hundreds of south Macon residents.

After a nearly five hours long meeting and a slurry of public comments, the board unanimously approved the condemnation in Nowell Estates of 3112 Avant Place, owned by James L. and Murrell Bowman, and 3222 Avant Place, owned by Helen and Russell Lipford, for a water detention facility that will alleviate decadeslong flooding issues just north of the property.  

Members of both families addressed the board with pleas for the authority to explore alternatives to eminent domain. 

Helen Lipford said she and her husband, Russell, have lived on the farm land since 1968, more than a century after it came into family ownership. 

“We understand and can empathize with the people behind us as to what’s going on, but at the same time, we don’t feel like so much of our land should be taken for what the water authority is asking to do with it,” Lipford said. “Please don’t take any more of our land. We want to keep it for our family and our descendants.” 

Kevin Lipford urged the authority to explore other options.

“There’s not been enough research into other methods to handle the storm water that’s flooding behind the property,” he said. “I just ask you to rethink that and perhaps we can work together with the Macon Water Authority to come up with other options.”

The flooding issues in South Bibb have wreaked havoc on homes and families for decades, including James Chevalley’s house on Frances Drive off Rice Mill Road just north of the family’s farm. 

“I get all the water,” Chevalley, who bought his home 40 years ago, said. “My house has been flooded several times. … I understand these people’s point. It’s their land. I don’t want nobody taking my land either, but my thing is: something needs to be done. This thing needs to be looked at as a crisis that needs to be fixed. … Figure something out, OK? Just figure it out. Quit sitting on your hands.” 

Newly elected Macon Water Authority Commissioner Elaine Lucas, whose district includes the county’s east side and part of its south side, told The Melody it is “time for us to do something and to go ahead and fix it, not just put a patch on it.”

“Elected officials have to weigh all sides and make tough decisions,” she said. “Nobody wants to put the needle in and take somebody’s property, but if you work with them and try to reach an agreement and can’t, then you have to use that distasteful method the government has to require that people work with you.” 

In other business Thursday, Macon Water Authority Chief Executive Officer Ron Shipman said January’s revenue and income were 8.7% over budget. Even so, AT&T notified the authority of a 35% increase to the authority’s phone bill in 2025. Other costs are rising too, including chemicals used to clean water.

“We used to be able to buy a one-ton cylinder of chlorine for $800. It now costs us $4,000,” Shipman said. “We put on 8 to 10 at a time and it takes us two weeks to use those … for the month, it’s going to be $30,000.”