Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation Report June 2001

by Alan Toney, Chair of the Fulton Soil and Water Conservation District

Heavy rains tested erosion and sediment control measures at construction sites all over Fulton County. The District was pleasantly surprised that the proper user of "Best Management Practices" (BMPs) did their job on most sites.

We had some problems in the City of Atlanta and are closely monitoring the City's ability to correct these problems. We are also disturbed by the city's inability to coordinate its own Public Works projects with their new Erosion and Sediment Control Department. In addition, their private water contractor, called United Water, needs to take serious action to improve its E&S program. To further this effort we invited them to make a presentation to the District, but so far United Water has declined. They had a serious water main break in Sandy Springs that did a lot of damage to a beautiful stream and filled a private lake with sediment. This problem occurred in unincorporated Fulton County; so far United Water's response to both the County and to the Fulton Soil and Water Conservation District has been unsatisfactory. It appears that privatization has not improved the City's water system.

We have been pleased with at the City of Atlanta's overall progress within their new E&S department, but we fear that their success will continue to be limited because they are veneered onto a Public Works Department that is still arrogant and resistant to change.

---

Last updated: 04 Jul 01