State EPD cites Atlanta plant for river pollution, wastewater flow into Chattahoochee River

The City of Atlanta is facing significant environmental violations from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) at its largest wastewater treatment plant, the R.M. Clayton Water Reclamation Center. State regulators have cited numerous issues, including the discharge of inadequately treated effluent with high levels of contaminants into the Chattahoochee River. These violations pose risks to public health and the river ecosystem.

The inspection report revealed a range of problems at the facility, from malfunctioning equipment to visible solids in treatment basins. Despite ongoing efforts by the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper to monitor water quality, alarming levels of bacteria persist downstream of the plant, prompting advisories to limit contact with the water.

The R.M. Clayton facility is permitted to discharge up to 100 million gallons of treated wastewater daily, but has repeatedly failed to meet state and federal standards for water quality since last July.  According to a March 22 letter sent by EPD, officials highlighted numerous instances where levels of E. coli, ammonia, phosphorus, and other pollutants exceeded allowable limits, with the facility failing to report violations promptly.

During an unannounced inspection, EPD found key parts of the plant’s treatment systems offline, including several clarifiers and ultraviolet light treatment channels. The notice of violations — and a related report from an inspection by EPD regulators last month — reveal major issues at the facility, from broken equipment to plant growth and “solids” on the walls of some treatment basins. The city has been requested to submit a corrective action plan to address these issues, with a deadline extended to April 29. While repairs are underway, fines have not yet been proposed for the violations.

Commissioner Mikita Browning stated that the city is actively developing a corrective plan and repairing malfunctioning equipment. In the interim, temporary measures such as mobile units and disinfectants are being employed to mitigate E. coli levels. However, fluctuations in bacteria levels, particularly during rain events, remain a concern.

The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper’s executive director, Jason Ulseth, has emphasized the severity of the situation, urging caution to those planning recreational activities along the Chattahoochee River. Alarming levels of bacteria near the R.M. Clayton plant’s outfall has prompted their recommendations to limit contact with the water along a significant stretch of the river, spanning 70 miles from the facility’s discharge point to West Point Lake near LaGrange. These warnings highlight the potential health risks associated with exposure to contaminated water. High levels of E. coli and other sewage-borne pathogens pose serious health hazards, including the risk of illness upon contact. Additionally, pollutants like ammonia and phosphorus can contribute to harmful algae blooms and fish kills, further compromising the river’s ecosystem.

Despite ongoing efforts to address water quality issues, recent pollution incidents underscore the challenges facing the Chattahoochee River’s environmental health. Continued efforts are essential to ensure regulatory compliance to safeguard the integrity of the river ecosystem for both human health and environmental sustainability.