Update on notice of 'spill' in Allatoona Lake

Some recent headlines in local news organizations have caused misconceptions concerning a recent Environmental Protection Division (EPD) mandated advisory about a "spill" in Lake Allatoona.

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.

On Thursday, our routine tests revealed that a component of the released water was out of specification, necessitating a public notice. Immediate action was taken, and 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.

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