There have been some questions about the pollutant limits in a wastewater discharge permit issued by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) to the Forsyth County Fowler/Shakerag wastewater facilities. The permit regulates discharge to the Chattahoochee River downstream of Buford Dam.
EPD allows the discharge of treated wastewater to streams, rivers and lakes only under levels and conditions to protect water quality. The waters of the state have always been used to assimilate highly treated discharges under stringent controls. The pollutant levels in the permits differ based on the type of wastewater and the ability of the receiving water to assimilate pollutants.
EPD has developed water quality and water quantity computer models to better understand and predict the effect of various discharges on these complex systems. This information is used to guide EPD in setting permit limits on a site-specific basis.
For most parameters, the Forsyth permit is just as stringent, or more stringent, than other Chattahoochee River discharges. The Forsyth discharge has nutrient limits more stringent than for river discharges from Gwinnett County and city of Atlanta facilities. In addition, the permit is being revised to further tighten limits for fecal coliform. I am confident the final permit will be protective of the Chattahoochee.
It is also important to note that Gwinnett has an additional permit to discharge treated wastewater directly to Lake Lanier. The limits in this permit are more stringent than those in the new Forsyth permit because it is a discharge to a lake. The ability of lakes and streams to assimilate nutrients is different.
EPD protects the water resources of Georgia, including Lake Lanier and the Chattahoochee, through a variety of activities. First, EPD establishes designated uses for each water body, such as drinking water, recreation and/or fishing, and the water-quality criteria that will protect those uses.
EPD conducts field monitoring throughout the year to document actual water quality. Seven to 12 times per year, EPD samples 10 locations in Lake Lanier, 7 locations upstream from the lake, and 10 locations in the Chattahoochee River watershed downstream from the lake.
Since 1996, EPD has invested approximately $9 million of federal Clean Water Act funding in various projects in the Upper Chattahoochee River watershed. The projects have been undertaken to improve water quality impacted by nonpoint sources of pollution such as forestry, agriculture and urban activities.
EPD also works closely with other state and federal agencies to optimize understanding and management of water quality and water quantity issues.
The new Forsyth County permit — indeed, all wastewater discharge permits — are written to protect water quality to maintain the designated uses. EPD will continue to ensure that Forsyth and all other dischargers comply with their permit limits and operate their systems to avoid overflows and other upsets, resulting in the protection and stewardship of one of Georgia’s most beloved rivers.
Judson H. Turner is director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
