Clean Water Initiative Seeks Regional Solutions
by Glynn Groszmann, Georgia Chapter Water Issues Leader
The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Regional Business Coalition have brought together a new Clean Water Initiative task force to seek regional solutions to the emerging water quality crisis that is threatening the greater metro area and to help ensure our region's continued prosperity and growth well into 21st century.
The task force is focusing on what must be done to ensure that we comply with state and federal water quality laws. The task force includes business, environmental and government leaders, as well as state and local policy makers. The focus of the initiative is not water supply or allocation but water quality.
Only 10% of waters statewide have been tested by EPD. However, at this time, over 1,000 miles of rivers and streams in metro Atlanta fail to meet water quality standards. Pollutants from stormwater runoff contribute to approximately 85% of these water quality violations. Unlike discharges from municipal or industrial facilities whose discharge pipes are generally controlled by discharge permits, stormwater runoff comes from countless locations on the land and is essentially uncontrolled. Stormwater runoff is rain that falls on the land, washing pollutants into rivers and streams. This pollution includes petroleum residue from roads and parking lots, fertilizers and pesticides from yards, and sediment and heavy metals from disturbed land and construction. In essence, the Chattahoochee River and other rivers in our region are "full" due to both wastewater and pollution from stormwater runoff. Without different strategies, as sewage treatment plants begin running out of capacity and are unable to obtain discharge permits to expand, a strong likelihood exists of additional sewer connection moratoria in other metro counties in the next five years beyond the restrictions already in place in North Fulton County.
The task force is holding regular meetings to analyze the region's current problems and review best practices used in other major metropolitan areas to address similar concerns. The Sierra Club and several other environmental groups are sending representatives to speak at the task force meetings. Chapter Water Issues Leader Glynn Groszmann spoke at the August 18, 2000 meeting. After developing a thorough understanding of the region's water quality issues and what will happen in this region if no special actions are taken, the task force will work to gain consensus on recommendations which will be forwarded to state and local policy makers in October 2000.
The geographic area represented in these recommendations covers parts of the river basins for the Catoosa, Chattooga, Chattahoochee, Flint, and Ocmulgee Rivers. This area includes the City of Atlanta, the ten counties that comprise the Atlanta Regional Commission, as well as Hall and Forsyth Counties, which border Lake Lanier.
Citizens and interested groups may view all the materials submitted to the Task Force and offer feedback through the Clean Water Initiative website: www.cleanwaterinitiative.com
Last updated: 20 Sep 00