Fourth Wastewater Spill in Lake Allatoona Reported

This week, another wastewater spill by Cobb County into Lake Allatoona was reported to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.

This marks the fourth spill reported to the division since June 27.

In statements, Cobb County emphasized the drinking water supply has not been impacted by the spills. No clean-up or remediation is required at this time.

According to the county, the Northwest Water Reclamation Facility in Kennesaw released treated wastewater into the lake that did not meet the facility’s requirements.

The facility is permitted by the EPD to treat 12 million gallons of wastewater per day and release it into Allatoona Lake.

Routine testing is conducted throughout the lake to ensure the water does not contain contaminants.

According to the county, any sample that does not meet the facility’s standards for “treated wastewater” is classified as a “spill” and immediately reported to the EPD.

Tests were conducted and spills were reported on June 27, June 30, July 1, and July 2.

Cobb officials said all four spills were part of the same event.

The cause of the spills is under investigation by the Cobb Water System. According to a Cobb County spokesperson, a possible contaminate at the facility could have interfered with the water treatment process.

“Water System officials believe something was introduced to the plant last week that could have impacted the plant process,” the county communications team said. “This ‘upset’ interfered with the microorganisms in the plant biological treatment process.”

The Northwest Water Reclamation Facility is waiting for test results to tell them if the water treatment process was contaminated by “toxic conditions.” Even if results come back positive, it is unclear whether the county will be able to determine the actual contaminate that caused the spill, the county said.

Cole Blackwell, executive director of the Cobb County Marietta Water Authority — whose agency is not involved with the spills — responded to the MDJ’s request for comment identifying contaminants that should not be going into the lake water.

Blackwell said typically tests are conducted to look for things like increased biological oxygen demand — which measures the amount of oxygen used by bacteria to break down organic matter — and total organic compound, which measures the amount of contaminants within a sample of water.

Blackwell also said companies normally test the clarity and temperature of water samples to determine the level of contamination.

The county said it also tests for other containments such as phosphorus, pH and E. coli.

After conducting tests on a June 26 sample from Lake Allatoona, results found the total suspended solids reading — which measures the weight of physical, non-dissolvable particles present in water — exceeded the standard measurement of 25 milligrams per liter of water.

Blackwell said the city of Cartersville could be most affected by the spills, but they probably are not going to see much change.

According to Blackwell, an increase in nutrients in Lake Allatoona could cause algae blooms which make it harder to treat wastewater.

“(Cartersville) will have to see how it affects their source water supply,” Blackwell said.