Please Don’t Dump Anything In Metro Atlanta’s Sewer Manhole Covers, Especially In Gwinnett!
January 22, 2010 by Jamie Ward
Filed under Environment
Gwinnett County officials say people are illegally dumping waste into sewer system manhole covers like this one by prying them open.
GWINNETT COUNTY — Officials want the public’s help in catching anyone who might be dumping illegal waste into the county’s sewer system by prying open the sewer manhole covers.
Acting Director of Water Resources Lynn Smarr said people are dumping everything from grease and chemicals to septic tank pumping.
“It’s not only illegal but it’s also dangerous for the perpetrators and our employees. We’re asking anyone who sees suspicious activity to report it immediately,” Smarr said. “As environmental regulations get tighter, we’ve got to be strict about enforcing illegal dumping laws.”
According to Deputy Director of Operations and Environmental Services Tyler Richards, this seems to be occurring mainly in partially developed residential, commercial and industrial areas.
“With manholes in the street in these areas and few people around to witness them, it is easy to pull a manhole cover and discharge waste,” Richards said in an e-mail to the Citizen. “With the downturn in the economy there are many such developments throughout the metro area.”
Richards said she believes the main motivation is money.
“To discharge a legitimate waste, such as septage, to our system you must pay a fee of $125 per 1000 gallons and take the waste to one of our treatment facilities,” she said. “By discharging into a manhole, they can save the fee and save the travel time to the facility. Unfortunately, that means the cost of treatment will have to be borne by the other ratepayers.”
Richards said Gwinnett’s fee for discharge is comparable to other surrounding jurisdictions. She also said what is alarming is that people could be dumping waste that should not be allowed into a sewer system at all.
“The waste may be grease from restaurant grease traps that can stop up the sewer and cause overflows, it may be hazardous and create dangerous conditions for our workers or the public near the sewer, it could also harm the processes at our treatment facilities,” Richards said, “Anytime the public sees someone discharging into a manhole that is not a county vehicle, it would be of great assistance if they could report it; taking a picture or video would be helpful as well.”
Residents can call Gwinnett Police at 770-513-5100 or Water Resources at 678-376-7000. Both lines are staffed 24 hours a day. County vehicles are clearly marked and Water Resources employees wear uniforms.
“Tough economic times lead people to do things they wouldn’t normally do,” Richards said. “We all need to be vigilant to protect public health and safety.”
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