Atlanta, GA
‘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.
Copyright 2024 WANF. All rights reserved.
Travel trends nationwide suggest more people are staying close to home this year due to higher oil and gas prices. Some 71 percent of Americans plan road trips for summer vacations, according to Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report.
Another study, by Bank of America, found consumers are responding to higher gas prices by taking fewer trips, reducing travel budgets, cutting back on accommodations, or choosing destinations closer to home.
Catcher Jair Camargo collected his first big league hit in the top of the ninth tonight. He was added for the double-header today.
This was his first MLB appearance since 2024 with the Twins. He was hitless in seven plate appearances for Minnesota.
He struck out in his first at bat with Atlanta before doubling for his first base knock.
Congratulations.
Communities across metro Atlanta are hosting Juneteenth festivals, performances, markets and family-friendly events over the next several days. President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. The holiday commemorates the day in 1865 when Texas learned that slavery had ended and the last of the enslaved people were to be freed.
Historian Henry Louis Gates has estimated there were about 250,000 freed in the state of Texas.
Below are some of the events taking place around metro Atlanta.
Sandy Springs
The city’s annual Juneteenth celebration will be held from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday at City Springs. The event will feature live performances, art exhibits, artisan vendors, food trucks and more.
Roswell
Roswell will host an artisan market honoring Juneteenth at 1 p.m. Friday in the lobby of the Roswell Cultural Arts Center.
According to a city statement, “This is your opportunity to meet the creators behind the work, hear their stories firsthand, and take a piece of the experience home. Artists will have additional prints and affordable original pieces available for purchase, making this a wonderful chance to invest in and celebrate the work of African American artists in our community.”
Gwinnett
Several Juneteenth events are planned throughout Gwinnett County.
In Norcross, cellist Okorie “OkCello” Johnson and the Wonders of Worship Youth Choir from Hopewell Baptist Church will perform at the Cultural Arts and Community Center at 11 a.m. Friday.
In Lilburn, the GAPS Society, representing Georgia Autism Parental Support, will host food, games and activities for all ages from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at J.B. Williams Park.
The United Ebony Society will celebrate Juneteenth on Saturday at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds with a festival featuring music, games and food from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Black Women’s Association of Sugar Hill will host its seventh annual Juneteenth event with the Miss Juneteenth pageant, music, food, games, and a scholarship award. The festivities will take place from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 5039 W. Broad Street.
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