Atlanta wastewater treatment plant experiences upset, monitoring ongoing

During routine river monitoring, CRK detected high bacteria levels in the Chattahoochee in metro Atlanta and tracked the source to the City of Atlanta’s R.M. Clayton plant. Daily testing between March 4 and March 15 showed dangerously high levels of E. coli bacteria in the Chattahoochee River at the plant’s outfall, immediately downstream of the Marietta Boulevard/Atlanta Road bridge. During this period, tests indicated that E. coli levels were an average of 340 times higher than the amount recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for safe water recreation.

On March 5, CRK notified the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management (DWM) and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) about our results. We corresponded with the City of Atlanta DWM and they indicated that equipment failures at the plant were likely the cause. As a result, the city expedited equipment repair and leased temporary equipment to improve the quality of the discharge. An inspection report by EPD revealed issues at all stages of treatment.

From March to July of 2024, water samples collected by CRK at the plant’s outfall and downstream have detected spikes in harmful bacteria levels. CRK recommends that river recreators exercise caution for 60 miles from the plant’s outfall to Franklin, GA until treatment problems at the plant are resolved.

You can view water quality data from more than 200 sites throughout the watershed on our website. 

We do not know exactly what caused the R.M. Clayton WRC failure. The City of Atlanta DWM has cited heavy rain events in January and February, which caused the secondary clarifiers at the plant to stop functioning properly, but EPD’s inspection report indicates larger operational and maintenance issues at the plant.

This problem is unlike other issues we often see during heavy rains, where water seeps into cracks in the sewer pipes (that run from homes and businesses to wastewater treatment plants) and causes them to overflow into nearby streams. This event is different because the failure happened at the plant where the treatment should occur.

Yes. High bacteria levels pose serious risks to public health, especially for vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. CRK urges river recreators to be careful when paddling or fishing on the river downstream of the R.M. Clayton plant for 60 miles to Franklin, GA. To be on the safe side, avoid fully submerging underwater, wash your hands after contacting the water or use hand sanitizer, and exercise particular caution with young children, the elderly, and the immunocompromised.

The greatest impact is immediately downstream of the R.M. Clayton WRC outfall at the Chattahoochee River, at the Marietta Boulevard/Atlanta Road bridge. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers releases water from Buford Dam upstream, which helps to dilute E. coli contamination further downstream. 

While issues at the plant are ongoing, CRK recommends that river users exercise caution on the river downstream of the Marietta Boulevard/Atlanta Road for 60 miles to Franklin, Georgia. 

Water quality is not impacted in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area upstream of the plant. Water quality is generally very good in the Chattahoochee River. In general, avoid river recreation for 72 hours after it rains when the river is high and muddy. CRK publishes water quality data from throughout the Chattahoochee River watershed online here.

The main body of West Point Lake remains swimmable at this time. We do encourage caution in the upper headwaters of the lake upstream and directly downstream of Franklin.

The river is diluting the random releases of undertreated sewage from R.M. Clayton WRC. By the time the river flows through Franklin, Georgia, which we consider the upper headwaters of West Point Lake, we’re seeing diminished E. coli test results.

One thing to be mindful of this summer are algae blooms in the lake. Click here to learn more.

Related to the long-term health of West Point Lake, click here to see results from our monitoring published earlier this year.

Drinking water in Fulton County and the metro Atlanta region is not affected by the plant failure. All source water is treated to meet drinking water standards.

Chattahoochee Riverkeeper is monitoring the impact of the discharge on wildlife at the R.M. Clayton WRC outfall and downstream. There are currently no indications of a fish kill as a result of the discharge.

However, the high levels of organic material and nutrients entering the river from the plant’s discharge are contributing to very low oxygen levels in the river. On July 5 and July 18, dissolved oxygen levels downstream of the plant fell below 4.0 mg/L, violating standards set by the Clean Water Act.

This depletion of oxygen causes stress to fish and other aquatic life. If levels continue to fall amid hot summer temperatures and low river flows, the conditions could result in a fish kill.

If you see dead fish in the water, please contact CRK’s hotline and report it to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.

While the city has outlined its plans to fix issues at the wastewater treatment plant, CRK does not believe they are moving fast enough to address immediate threats posed to the Chattahoochee River. 

On July 1, CRK and the Southern Environmental Law Center notified the City of Atlanta of our intent to file a federal lawsuit if the city does not correct violations at the plant within 60 days. A 60-Day Notice of Intent to Sue is required under the Clean Water Act. If the city does not correct violations after 60 days, we will move forward with a federal lawsuit. Read more here.