Atlanta settles lawsuit over pollution into Chattahoochee River
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The R.M. Clayton Water Reclamation Plant on the Chattahoochee River in Atlanta. Photo: Courtesy of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper
The city of Atlanta has agreed to settle a federal lawsuit over pollution from its largest wastewater plant into the Chattahoochee River.
Why it matters: The city will continue investing in improvements at the R.M. Clayton Water Reclamation Center, which sits along the river off Bolton Road in northwest Atlanta.
Zoom in: According to the consent decree signed Wednesday, Atlanta will continue its projects to improve operations at the facility, which are expected to cost $55 million.
- The city will also organize an annual meeting between the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (CRK), which filed the lawsuit, R.M. Clayton plant manager and commissioner of the Department of Watershed Management (DWM) to discuss the improvements.
- Atlanta will be required to copy Riverkeeper on any notices of spills or violations it sends to the Environmental Protection Division for the next three years.
- Both the city and the nonprofit will sponsor an annual cleanup of a tributary of the river.
What they're saying: Jason Ulseth, executive director of CRK, said the group looks forward to working with Atlanta.
- "The city's investments in R.M. Clayton will improve water quality in the Chattahoochee River for city of Atlanta residents and communities downstream," he said.
- DWM Commissioner Greg Eyerly said the agreement "reflects the power of collaboration and our shared responsibility to invest in clean water."
Catch up quick: CRK said in July 2024 that the plant repeatedly discharged excessive amounts of poorly treated wastewater containing harmful levels of E. coli and chemicals into the Chattahoochee.
- Between July 2023 and July 2024, the plant violated permitted limits at least 79 times, the nonprofit alleged.
- Water sampling by the Riverkeeper also found high levels of organic material and chemicals that can stress the Chattahoochee's fish and other aquatic life.
- CRK gave the city 60 days to address the outstanding issues at the treatment facility or it would file a lawsuit, which it did in September 2024.
Flashback: The group successfully sued the city in 1995 over regular spills into the Chattahoochee.
- A federal judge ordered Atlanta to overhaul the poorly maintained and antiquated sewer system. Much of the improvements are funded by a one-cent sales tax, which voters recently renewed.
What we're watching: Atlanta officials said last year it will cost at least $2 billion to upgrade its aging water and sewer infrastructure over the next 20 years.