We want to clarify some recent news reports concerning notices of a "spill" in Lake Allatoona mandated by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD).

Cobb Water System’s Northwest Water Reclamation Facility is permitted to treat 12 million gallons of wastewater daily.  Once treated, the water is released into Lake Allatoona, which is routinely tested.

Testing during the following days showed readings that exceeded specifications and resulted in a notification to the EPD:

• Thursday, June 27
• Sunday, June 30
• Monday, July 1
• Tuesday, July 2

These test results were immediately reported to the EPD.  The released wastewater, which was disinfected, poses no threat to our drinking water supplies. No cleanup or remediation is required.  

EPD regulations are strict, and the Cobb County Water System takes the appropriate action to comply with them.

In addition to further lake testing, the system is investigating the cause of the readings, which may have resulted from a large amount of contaminate being introduced into the wastewater system.  As they investigate, they continue to work to modify the facility's operations to bring test results within specifications.

The release of treated wastewater into Allatoona Lake is a routine, daily occurrence and part of the Water System’s permitted wastewater treatment system.