The new permit is correcting this mistake. Columbus is the only one with these objections.ĮPD’s policy didn’t change, but the agency made errors by issuing permits in 19 without properly accounting for the sewer system’s reasonable potential to cause harm.
COLUMBUS WATER WORKS GEORGIA UPGRADE
Atlanta spent billions of dollars worth of upgrades in the last several decades, and Albany recently agreed to upgrade its system under a renewed permit. The new limit fits these instructions.Ĭolumbus is one of three cities in Georgia to still use a combined sewer system. The EPA instructed that combined sewer operators allow for expansion and retrofitting to meet water quality standards. Things change over the course of nearly three decades. EPD isn’t required to produce a written record of its analysis. Therefore, it has no choice but to establish the limit. Their key legal arguments in the case include:ĮPD conducted a reasonable potential analysis as required by the federal Clean Water Act and determined the system posed a future risk to the river’s water quality. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division and the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper argue that more stringent fecal coliform limits are legal and necessary. Georgia EPD/Chattahoochee Riverkeeper arguments The utility alleges EPD made only “assumptions” and that its analysis is “unreasonable.” Columbus Water Works cites affidavits from outside expert witnesses who say the system poses no future harm and that EPD did no analysis. The system was designed to meet fecal bacteria standards by testing water out of the river, not water coming directly out of the pipe. Georgia EPD granted Columbus two permits - one in 1998 and another in 2010 - with no issue regarding end-of-pipe fecal coliform limits.ĭischarges from the sewer system to the river during heavy storm events are treated or contain 99.5% stormwater, not wastewater. In the 1990s, the city overhauled its combined sewer system as part of the EPA’s efforts to upgrade those systems nationwide. Illicit sanitary sewer connections or leaks could be a source for fecal coliforms.The utility company’s key points include: Fecal coliforms could also mean there are other bacteria or pathogens in the water and could be a potential health risk. Fecal coliforms are indicators that water has been contaminated with fecal waste from warm-blooded organisms.
CCG monitors several parameters but provides samples for Columbus Water Works Department of Water Quality Monitoring to conduct analytical testing for fecal coliforms. Stormwater staff currently monitors water quality at 14 sites throughout Muscogee County. The 11 creeks listed are:įecal Coliform, Fish Consumption Guidanceīio Macroinvertebrates, Fecal Coliform, pH There are 11 waterways listed within Muscogee County as not supporting their intended use (fishing) on the 2016 Draft of the Georgia 305(b)/303(d) Integrated Report. If the data concludes it doesn’t support the intended use, the waterway gets classified as impaired. If you still have questions about the safety of your water, please contact our Manager of Environmental Services at 70. Data is then used to determine if the quality can support the intended use of the water resources. Columbus Water Works has never had a drinking water violation in the 119 years of providing the community with clean, safe and reliable drinking water. CCG is required to collect and submit data on water quality to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division under the MS4 Permit. Under the Clean Water Act, states are required to report water quality information to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
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