Closure Continues: 15 Miles of Chattahoochee River Remains Shutdown Amid Contamination Concerns

The Gist: Significant reductions in E. coli bacteria levels have been observed in sections of the Chattahoochee River affected by wastewater discharge, indicating improvements in treatment processes at the Fulton County plant. However, 15 miles of the river remain closed for recreational activities as water quality testing continues.

What Happened?: The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper has reported that tests conducted on the Chattahoochee River show promising signs of improvement in E. coli contamination levels. The ongoing contamination, stemming from a spill at a Fulton County wastewater treatment facility, has led to the closure of the river downstream of Roswell.

In order to gain a better understanding of the contamination’s impact on water quality, the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper has expanded their sampling efforts downstream. Additional sampling locations now include Chattahoochee Hills, in addition to the previously monitored locations such as Azalea Park in Roswell.

What’s Next?: The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is closely monitoring the results of water quality testing. As soon as the water is deemed safe for recreation, the affected areas will be reopened. The public is advised to adhere to the closure and avoid activities that may expose them to the contaminated water. Regular updates will be provided as the situation develops.