Forsyth County Teams With Georgia Tech Students on Water Infrastructure Design

Forsyth County enlisted the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Capstone Program to tackle a real-world water infrastructure challenge, a collaboration the county outlined on Feb. 4, 2026. In September, the county presented that challenge to Georgia Tech students, asking them to develop a schematic design that the county can evaluate as it plans future capital improvements.

The partnership pairs county planners and utility staff with senior engineering students who produced conceptual drawings and system analyses as part of their capstone coursework. Forsyth County leaders say the work supplies engineering-level options without the immediate cost of contracting a private design firm, giving county decision-makers additional information to shape budgets, grant applications, and regulatory compliance strategies.

For local residents the project matters because infrastructure schematic designs guide how water moves through the system - from treatment and storage to distribution and stormwater controls. Better schematic planning can reduce risks of service interruptions, water quality degradation, and expensive emergency repairs. It also helps the county forecast how to meet demand, prioritize vulnerable neighborhoods, and seek state or federal funding when projects move from concept to construction.

Public health and equity are central to the initiative. A schematic that anticipates pressure zones, backup supply routes, and areas prone to flooding can lower the likelihood of contamination events and interruptions that most directly affect low-income and medically vulnerable households. By integrating the students’ work into longer-term planning, Forsyth County can more explicitly target investments that protect schools, daycare centers, and neighborhoods with older infrastructure.

The academic partnership also builds local workforce connections. Georgia Tech students gain exposure to the regulatory, permitting, and community-engagement realities of municipal projects, while the county cultivates a pipeline of engineers familiar with Forsyth County’s terrain and growth patterns. That hands-on experience may shorten timelines when the county later hires full design teams or seeks contractors for construction.

Next steps include county review of the students’ schematic, refinement by licensed engineers if the county decides to advance any option, and potential incorporation into the county’s capital improvement plan. Residents who follow county commission and utility board agendas can expect updates as staff weigh cost estimates, permit requirements, and funding strategies.

The collaboration underscores a practical approach to infrastructure planning: leveraging academic talent to inform public decisions, reduce upfront consulting costs, and sharpen the case for investments that protect health, ensure reliable service, and promote equitable outcomes across Forsyth County neighborhoods.