Six Million Gallons of Wastewater Dumped into Lake Allatoona

The Cobb County Water System is currently investigating a wastewater spill of six million gallons into Lake Allatoona, which occurred on August 22. The effluent was treated at the Northwest Water Reclamation Facility, but it did not meet the Georgia Environmental Protection Division’s standards. The county assures that the spill will not impact drinking water supplies, did not necessitate cleanup or remediation, and has not resulted in any reported impacts on the lake.

However, many citizens are not convinced. They are raising concerns about the frequency of such spills and questioning the safety for humans, animals, and those who enjoy the lake. The county’s response, as outlined in a Thursday press release, states, “Plant operations staff is investigating the cause of the excursion and making necessary adjustments to ensure compliance with the discharge permit.”

Despite these assurances, there is growing skepticism. Many residents are demanding a more thorough examination of the recurring spills across Cobb County, with some suggesting that these incidents may not be accidental. The distrust in county officials is palpable, as citizens call for greater transparency and accountability regarding these environmental concerns from Chair Cupid, who has failed to make a single comment to the community about these ongoing sewage spills or their cause. Some say she has her head stuck in the sand on this issue, as with many others negatively impacting Cobb County and its citizens.