Cornelia has about $500,000 in hand to replace undersized and substandard water lines for about 500 low- and moderate-income residents.

The city received $490,610 from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and is contributing about $10,000 for the project, said Jon Herschell, Cornelia's director of economic and community development.

The new lines will provide "better connectivity in the water system," Herschell said. "The water lines are bigger and are going to provide more flow in case of a fire."

He noted that a fire hydrant will be placed about every 500 feet.

The target area covers residents around Hoyt, Old Cleveland and Galloway streets, Herschell said.

Construction could begin in June or July, with the project wrapping up by December 2011, he added.