The Rockdale News Rockdale News Digital Edition February 4, 2015 | Page 5
In Depth
Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015
“What harms one,
harms all.”
Atlanta seeking permit to dump more sewage into South River
BY MICHELLE KIM
T
he city of Atlanta is reportedly seeking a permit from the Ga. Environmental Protection Division that
effectively allows Atlanta to dump more
biological and solid pollution into the South
River, which starts in Fulton County and
flows through Rockdale and Newton counties before ending at Lake Jackson.
The South River and its tributaries have
already been on the state’s list of Impaired
Waters repeatedly, with violations such as
fecal coliform and polychlorinated biphenyl,
or PCB, levels.
“If Atlanta succeeds communities in
DeKalb, Rockdale, Newton, Henry, Jasper,
and Butts Counties will suffer. We all live
downstream; what harms one, harms all,”
said Jackie Echols, president of South River
Watershed Alliance, a watchdog group for
the South River.
The South River:
The Hidden Gem of Rockdale County
Check out the current and proposed permits here:
Also, don’t miss:
Public Hearing: Thursday, February 5, 2015 at 7
p.m. , at the EPD Tradeport Training Room, 4244
International Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30354.
Written comments are due Feb. 13 at [email protected] GA EPD, 2 MLK, Jr.
Drive, Suite 1152E, Atlanta, GA 30334
These are the only opportunities for public involvement
in the permitting process.