Resident concerns remain for community water system

Residents on the community water system serving Swisher Road and Forest Park have experienced a history of outages. The community water system, which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) refers to as the Koinonia Forest Park Public Water System, has had a history of issues, including non-compliance with National Drinking Water Regulations and the Georgia Primary Drinking Water Regulations.

Residents have also voiced concerns, citing low pressure and frequent outages.

The owner of the system, Bowman Wiley, has recently made changes to the water system serving Swisher Road and Forest Park, installing a new water tank. The Americus Times-Recorder called Bowman on Jan. 28, who said that he could not immediately comment on the water system.

The Americus Times-Recorder previously reported on Wiley’s sentencing on July 29, 2025, for lack of compliance. According to Lisa Myler, district manager of the southwest district office of the Environmental Protection Division, Wiley received three years’ probation and a $9,500 fine. Myler said that, effectively, he has 90 days to either divest his remaining water systems or bring them into compliance. “If he fails to do this, he will violate his probation, and EPA would need to ask for a probation violation hearing.”

Mildred Burton owns a home on Forest Park, but left to care for family. The subdivision was created by Koinonia Partners, with the goal of providing affordable housing. Burton and her husband were the first to move in. Houses were built at cost, with a twenty-year mortgage with no interest.

Burton says that the subdivision was a huge help for those it served. Koinonia Partners also built housing in Americus. Between Koinonia Partners and Habitat for Humanity, both building homes, residents of the Americus area were given an option beyond the projects. “It put Americus on the map, because Americus was not building houses for families at that time.”

However, those living in some of these same houses are facing water shortages. Before the system was sold to Wiley, residents paid water dues to Koinonia Partners.

Some residents have not regularly paid their monthly water bills to Wiley.

Burton believes homeowners should be responsible for paying their monthly water bill. “If I don’t pay my water bill here to the city, they shut it off until I pay it.” However, she believes the decision to sell the water system should have been made with the residents in mind. “We as homeowners should have been included in that decision.”

Burton was involved in the community during the time she lived at Forest Park. “We tried to organize a homeowners’ association.” Burton faced difficulties bringing residents from different ages and backgrounds together. Many of the original homeowners have passed away. “Now we’re dealing with second and third generation in the same house.”

Residents have called Burton with complaints about the current state of the system, but she says that before Wiley, the system also faced issues. She recalls her uncle bringing her water from Americus after an ice storm prevented the water from running. Sometimes the well would break down. “Off and on, there’s always been a problem; it’s a well system.”

Samuel Brown, a current resident on Swisher Road, says that the problems have not been fixed by the new tank.

He says that there have been problems with water discoloration, low pressure, and cut-offs. Brown also says he doesn’t get bills. “Only time you know he wants money, when he come around your house on Sunday, knocking on your door.”

He says that while he has lapsed in the past, he and his brother-in-law have caught up on water bill payments.

Minnie Lewis also lives on Swisher Road. Lewis said that Wiley doesn’t issue bills and that she has not received receipts. Lewis doesn’t drink the water anymore, and the water pressure makes it difficult to wash clothes in a washing machine. She says that water pressure has improved since the new tank was installed, but not a lot.

Lewis has also had reactions to the water, which caused skin irritations. “About two weeks ago now, I had to go into urgent care.”

Lewis received two cutoff notices for unpaid bills. One notice listed the amount due as $1,080.00, but did not have a date. The company name listed was CJT Group LLC. Another cutoff notice Lewis received was dated July 15, 2022, stating she owed $2,450. That notice was listed under New Life Homes. Both listed James Bowman Wiley Jr. as the sender.

When asked if she paid her bills, Lewis replied, “no I do not.” She has issues with how Wiley collects. “It’s his attitude and he know that.”

Lewis says she wants improved communication and doesn’t appreciate the loud door-to-door knocking when Wiley comes to collect.

Lashonda McArthur lives on South Village Drive, which gets water from another system owned by Wiley. McArthur says that the water is slow. Sometimes, it’s brown.

Residents have been receiving cutoff notices. Wiley has been digging in people’s yards to reach the pipes. McArthur’s cutoff valve was moved to the ditch.

When asked if she pays her water bills, McArthur says she has in the past, but stopped. She also says she doesn’t receive a bill. She did say she received a receipt after she paid $750. Wiley told her she still has a $1,000 balance, but that she hasn’t seen dates from when the bills were due.

Monica Mumma’s home is connected to the water system that serves Swisher Road and Forest Park. She says that the water has affected multiple people. “Everybody gets rashes.” She says the rashes have left her with open sores.

When asked if she paid her bills, Mumma replied, “I do because I don’t want to forfeit my right to sue.” She also has issues with Wiley’s bill-collecting method. “Someone beating on your door for cash is not a bill payment. That’s a shakedown.”

While she hasn’t had any outages since the new tank was installed, Mumma does not believe there has been enough progress on the system. “He was court-ordered to get the professional management company. He’s court-ordered to make all these upgrades. It’s not happening.”

Elizabeth Dede has been a member of Koinonia Farm since 2010, which is a close neighbor to the community. Dede has had a relationship with the farm dating back to 1986.

Elizabeth spoke about the water system, saying that agricultural run-off has been an issue for the area when it comes to maintaining water quality. “Managing a water system is a very difficult thing, and it is not the fault of anyone who owns and manages a water system that here in Americus, Sumter County, we have horribly polluted water.”

Elizabeth sees a potential solution to the issues faced by both the communities of Koinonia Village and Forest Park through the creation of community water system co-ops. “They would each, then, have to have a community board of directors that managed the water systems.”

Elizabeth sees it as a way to upgrade old infrastructure. “They could get funding for it to upgrade their system.”

Elizabeth believes, however, that the residents are not willing to try the idea. “They know what they are up against. They know that people don’t pay their bills.” Elizabeth cites the $50 a month water bills as “outrageously low.” Despite the low price, payments still aren’t made. Elizabeth sees enforcement as a challenge.

Burton plans to return to her home on Forest Park someday. She hopes that the water system will be completely updated and that the community and Wiley can make a fresh start. “We can’t go back and change what happened last year, the years before, but we can start now and go forward.”