Atlanta First News staff
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – The City of Atlanta has settled a lawsuit with an environmental advocacy group over pollutants released into the Chattahoochee River.
Smyrna-based Chattahoochee Riverkeeper filed the suit in September 2023, claiming the city had unlawfully discharged pollutants into the river from the RM Clayton Water Reclamation Center for more than a year in violation of its wastewater discharge permit and the Clean Water Act.
The lawsuit claims the pollutants included ammonia, phosphorus, ”suspended solids, and harmful levels of bacteria.”
The suit claims the city failed to “maintain and operate the RM Clayton facility in accordance with the terms of its wastewater discharge permit.”
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Lawsuit filed against Atlanta over claims of pollutant discharge into Chattahoochee River
The plant was allegedly “in a serious state of disrepair” because of poor management, lack of maintenance and old equipment, which caused or exacerbated the unlawful discharges of pollutants into the river.
On Wednesday, the nonprofit environmental group announced it had settled the lawsuit with the city.
As part of the settlement, the city has “reaffirmed its commitment” to investing millions of dollars in new equipment, upgrades and repairs at the facility, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper said.
The city has already started many of the repairs, and the plant’s river discharges are now in compliance with its wastewater discharge permit, according to the nonprofit.
“These important investments will continue to safeguard the Chattahoochee River and improve water quality downstream of the plant, ensuring safe and enjoyable conditions for riverbank communities, anglers, boaters, hikers, and wildlife,” Chattahoochee Riverkeeper said in a news release.
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