Sewer spillage is a well-known occurrence in the metro Atlanta area. Years of raw sewage overflowing in the city and nearby DeKalb County have created many health hazards and frustration among residents in the past.

Atlanta’s rusty piping system and high population density have contributed to numerous wastewater spills. Perhaps the most telling sign of failing sewer facilities is the consistent spilling of wastewater into the Chattahoochee River. More than 147 million gallons of wastewater have made their way into the river since 2011.

While these alarmingly common mishaps have raised many eyebrows among both city dwellers and environmental agencies, the city’s continued efforts to implement sewer upgrades are resulting in a steady decline of sewer overflows. All upgrades are supposed to be completed by 2027. Currently, the sewer upgrade project is in full swing. But this wasn’t always the case.

Unmet Deadlines and Second Chances

In 2011, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a federal court-mandated decree for DeKalb County to fix its wastewater system and clean up existing spills. The county was given roughly eight years to fulfill their obligations. However, a number of issues arose that prevented adequate progress from being made. As a result, DeKalb residents continued to be exposed to numerous sewage spills and health risks associated with the wastewater breeding dangerous bacteria like E. coli.

It wasn’t until 2017, when DeKalb County’s new CEO took office, that things started slowly changing for the better. State and federal environmental regulators gave DeKalb a second chance at making things right, extending the original deadline by an additional seven and a half years. Since then, an ambitious project to implement much-needed sewer improvements within the county has been undertaken.

DeKalb residents have been waiting many years for change to come and remain skeptical about the project’s outcome. While the public’s skepticism is understandable, officials remain adamant that their improvements will be implemented and result in an improved quality of life for families living in the county.

Growth Resulting from the Sewer Upgrade Project

The infamous Snapfinger Basin, which covers parts of Decatur, Stone Mountain and southwest DeKalb, is currently undergoing an economic revival stemming from the implementation of the sewer upgrade project. Decades of sewage spills, dirty creeks and wastewater flowing through residential backyards, have kept new businesses and developments away.

As a result, the Snapfinger Basin was not only plagued by health-threatening sludge; it also faced a ban that prevented new businesses from connecting into the county’s aging sewer system until improvements were made.

In 2020, DeKalb County launched a $438 million project to prevent further spills and property damage by installing brand-new sewer tanks and replacing close to 60 miles of large sewer lines. Almost two years later, the project is at full throttle and the area continues to see steady growth and development. Not only is the project bringing thousands of jobs to the basin, but it’s also allowing the construction of nearly 250 new developments.

The benefits of an improved sewer system reach far beyond economic growth. It is essential for good public health, the protection of wildlife and the environment, and improved quality of life for future generations.

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