Atlanta, GA

‘Dangerously high levels’ of E. coli found in Chattahoochee River, environmental group says

Published

10 months ago

March 17, 2024

‘Dangerously high levels’ of E. coli found in Chattahoochee River, environmental group says

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – An environmental group that monitors the Chattahoochee River says it detected “dangerously high levels” of E. coli downstream from an Atlanta wastewater treatment plant.

According to Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, the City of Atlanta’s R.M. Clayton Water Reclamation Center is the source of the issue.

The group said the bacteria was detected immediately downstream from the Marietta Boulevard/Atlanta Road bridge in northwest Atlanta, which isn’t far from the plant.

Chattahoochee Riverkeeper said the reclamation center is responsible for treating a large volume of the City of Atlanta’s sewage before it’s discharged in the river.

But leaders with Chattahoochee Riverkeeper said between March 4 and March 13, water quality testing they conducted showed E. coli levels at an average of 340 times higher than the amount recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for safe water recreation.

Advocates recommend that anyone who gets out on the river should use caution between Marietta Boulevard/Atlanta Bridge Road in Atlanta and the headwaters of West Point Lake.

Chattahoochee Riverkeeper said the great impact is “immediately downstream” of the R.M. Clayton plant.

“If you do come into contact with the water, river recreators should practice common sense hygiene practices like washing hands and disinfecting items that come into contact with the water,” the environmental group said.

The group said the drinking water in Fulton County and the wider metro Atlanta region is not affected. They said all source water is treated to meet drinking water standards.

In regard to wildlife, the group said they’re monitoring the impact, but as of March 14, “there have been no indications of a fish kill as a result of the discharge.”

They claim this is the second failure at a major wastewater treatment plant in metro Atlanta in less than a year, adding that last summer there was a failure at the Big Creek Water Reclamation Facility in Fulton County.

Atlanta News First has reached out to the City of Atlanta and is waiting to hear back.

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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta hosts college football fans for concerts, tailgate, family-friendly events

Published

3 hours ago

January 20, 2025

Press Room

Atlanta hosts college football fans for concerts, tailgate, family-friendly events

Football fans having blast before CFP championship

Fans are having a blast even before the College Football Playoff National Championship, and some of them don’t even have tickets to the big game. The surrounding fan experience events keep them busy with concerts, food tastings and activities, fun for the whole family.

ATLANTA – The College Football Playoff National Championship kicks off Monday at 7:30 p.m., but there is so much more than the game to enjoy.

What we know:

Sunday was a celebration for college football fans.

Diamond-certified GRAMMY®-nominated pop singer, Camila Cabello headlined the Playoff Playlist Concert series, alongside British singer-songwriter and Apple Music’s Up Next Artist Myles Smith, and Nashville-based singer-songwriter and social media sensation Knox.”

Fans also had a blast at the all-day fan experience called Playoff Fan Central.

“I actually made a field goal, but I aimed for the wrong thing,” said fan Cam Watson, who laughed as he noted he’s not here for either team playing. “Go Dawgs!”

CFP Championship fan fest, concerts underway

Mercedes-Benz Stadium is already buzzing with excitement ahead of the College Football Playoff National Championship game. On Monday, the Ohio State Buckeyes will face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Brian Meyerson and his buddy Mike Burton traveled to Atlanta without tickets to the big game.

“We have great expectations that the city of Atlanta is going to show us a great time,” said Burton.

What you can do:

The fan experience, which is free to all, is open Monday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Activities for kids and adults alike include a 40-yard dash, field goal kicking, a puppy adoption event, sponsor games and a mechanical bull to ride.

“We have so much for young kids and old adult kids, you name it we have it here!” said Hall.

Monday events begin at 10 a.m. inside the Georgia World Congress Center and outside Mercedez Benz Stadium. There is a tailgate experience including a pep rally and a performance by country singer Kane Brown.

“It’s free, it’s a holiday, it’s going to be cold, so you might as well come on down, be inside, and have so much fun all over again,” said Ryan Hall, Senior Director of Public Events and Sponsorships for the College Football Playoff.

Officials advise everyone to layer up for the cold, but to come out for the memories to be made.

“We’re ready, cold weather or not,” said Hall.

Local perspective:

This championship game is also helping bring in much-needed financial help for teachers and students in Georgia.

“About $1.5M dollars this year has gone back into education in Georgia,” said Hall.

The Source: This article is based on an original report by FOX 5 Atlanta’s Alexa Liacko.

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Atlanta, GA

Gwinnett County Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade canceled due to cold weather

Published

11 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Press Room

Gwinnett County Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade canceled due to cold weather

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in Gwinnett County has been canceled due to cold weather expected to move through Atlanta.

The Gwinnett County Democratic Party announced that the United Ebony Society made the decision.

The party said, “This decision was not made lightly, and was made to prioritize the safety of our community. We welcome you to honor Dr. King’s legacy in your own way and hope you stay warm!”

According to the Atlanta News First First Alert Weather team, it will be below freezing Monday morning and could be as low as 29 degrees at noon. Highs tomorrow are expected to be in the low 30s.

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