Georgia's environment, 97

GA-
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51 E5 1Cf\1
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DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

The Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources has prepared this report to enhance the understanding of the condition of our environment. The report briefly presents information on the quality of Georgia's environment and also summarizes the status of major programs to protect the environment. Finally, the report ends with a discussion of the essential work that remains 10 be accomplished.
EPD intends to publish an annual update on environmental quality. We will identify environmental indicators to gauge our progress. This is consistent with a national trend, which EPD supports, to focus on measurable environmental results.
Over the past twenty five years, our environment has steadily improved; however, signs of both past and present environmental impacts are still apparent. These impacts must be identified and understood if they are to be reduced.
The progress we have achieved thus far resulted primarily from controls on specific sources of pollu tion, Discharges of untreated or partially treated sewage from cities and industries have essentially been eliminated through the construction of new waste water treatment facilities. Open dumping has been replaced by landfills with stringent controls to prevt:nt ground water contamination, Smoke stacks'and other industrial air emissions havt: been radically reduced through air pollution control devices.
New programs relating to hazardous site identifi cation and cleanup, scrap tire site cleanups, petroleum underground storage tank controls and water conser-

vation havt: been initiated to furtht:r t:nhance our environment.
We still have a ways to go to address our remaining challenges, However, these challenges must be addressed through new and expanded environmental programs. In fact, the sources of environmental contamination we art: now addressing are those from each individual in Georgia carrying 011 his or her life.
The predominant sources of water pollution come from stormwater TUnoff from the land. This includes forests, farms, homes, yards, streets, stores and industry. Automobiles are a major source of air pollution. We all generate garbage and household hazardous wastt:.
One common clement binds this report: the people of Georgia, The pt:oplt: have acted in the last few decades to improve our environment Yet the people are collectively responsible for the environmental problems that remain. As our population
grows, these problems could intensify unless we all
act to implement further solutions.
EPO is soliciting the ideas and suggestions from the people of Ceorgia on this report and, more importantly, on EPO programs. The Customer Assistanct: Program is available to receive your ideas. Please return the comment card in this report, or call us toll free at 1888EPO-5947 (in Atlanta 404/657.5947), We look forward to your rt:sponse

"'.....

WATER QUALITy ......

DRINKING WATER...

. .... .....

SUSTAINABLE WATER SUPPly

.

AIR QUALITy

.

HAZARDOUS WASTE & SiTES.....

SOLID WASTE.

.m
4D

Toxles RELEASE INVENTORY
4 UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS ......

UNFINISHED BUSINESS..

4D

Georgia is rich in surface water resources-Qur statt' has 70,150 miles of streams, 425,582 acres of public lakes and reservoirs, 854 square miles of estuaries, and 100 miles of coastline, These waters support a wide range of uses for Georgians and provide habitats for a variety of aquatic life.
Pollutants which impact waterbodies come from point and non point sources. Point sources are discharges into waterways through discrete pipes or channels. Municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilitIes are the most common point sources. Nonpoint source pollution consists of mud, litter, bacteria, pesticides, fertilizers, metals, oils, detergems and a variety of other pollUiants being washed into rivers and lakes from the land by stonnwater.
POINT SOURCE POLLUTION
In 1965 only 3% of industries treated their wastewater and only onethird of municipal sewage was treated, Efforts for the last 25 years have focused on reducing the impacts from these sources. More than 500 point source discharges have been eliminated since 1980 through regionalization, promotion of land treatment and Olher programs. The point sources that remain are controlled through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit Issuance, compliance monitoring and enforcement.
PERMITTED DISCHARCES
Essentially all industrial and municipal treatment plants in Georgia have constnlCted systems to protect water Quality. In 1995, 113 of 125 major municip<11 disch<1rges (more than 1,0 million 8<1110ns per d<1Y) consistently achieved compliance with permit Iimit<1tions. Of 56 major industrial discharges, 55 facilities consistently achieved pennit compliance.
......

Though the total volllille of wastewater treated between 1985 and 1995 increased by 26%, discharges of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), suspended solids, and phosphorus have been significantly reduced. During that period, BOD loading to surface walers from major municipal waStew3ter treatment f3cilities decreased by 19%, and the amount of suspended solids discharged decreased by 10%.
Since 1985, the amount of phosphorus discharged has been reduced by two-thirds. This resulted from the statewide phosphate detergent ban established in 1991 and from upgrading of wastewater treatmem facilities upstream of, or into LIke Lanier, LIke Allatoona, Lake Jackson and West Poim Reservoir. The phosphorus reductions have produced noticeable improvemems in Lake Jackson and West Point and the cominuation of good water quality in LIke Allatoona. In fact, extreme algae blooms have been eliminated in LIke Jackson and West Point.
COMBINED SEWER OVERFLOW (CSO) CONTROL
CombIned sewer systems were built in over 1000 U.s. cities before the environmental and public health problems associated with them were known. Combined sewers carry both stornlwater runoff and sanitary sewage. During large rainfall events, the sewers overflow to surface streams without treatment. State legislation adopted in 1990 required Georgia cities with CSOs to eliminate them or provide con troIs. Six municipal governments invested over $215 million to comply with the law. Of 56 individual CSOs in lh~ six cities, 44 have been c1minated or have op~ralional controls in place. The remaining 12, two located in Atlanta and len in Albany, will be eliminated or have controls in place by 1999.
LAND TREATMENT AND WATER REUSE
Georgia is a national leader in promoting wastewater treatment systems that do not discharge to surface Streams. EPD requires all permit applicant's to evaluate land treatment alternatives. A new or expanded discharge to a surface stream is allowed only if land treatment is technically or economically infeasible. 163 land treatment systems have been constructed. The treatment capacity of these systems ranges from

a few thousand gallons per day 10 40 million gallons per day.
EPD has also encouraged urban water reuse as a treat ment alternative. Interest in using treated wast~wat'er for beneficial lilndscilpe irrigation is increasing. Georgia has 14 urban reuse systems in operation.
The construction of land treatment and urban reuse systems to Ireat municipal wastewater has eliminated the discharge of more than I 10 million gallons per day inlO Ceorgia's surface waters.
NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION
The control of dominant point source problems has allowed EPD to place increasing emphasis on nonpoint source pollution. In 1996, a Nonpoint Source Program was established to focus on pollution from urban, agricultural, forestry, stonnwater, erosion/sedimentation and surface mining sources. The program combines regulatory and non.regulatory approachl:S, in cooperation with federal, state and local government agencies, universities, environmental groups, and individual citizens.
The Adopt-AStream programs increase public awareness of local water resources; over 80 groups and 2,500 volunteers participate in this program statewide. The program offers training and support in watershed surveys, visual surveys, biological monitoring, chemical testing, and river cleanups.
EPD has also provided financial and technical support for developing local nonpoint source wilter Quality managemcnt programs. From July I, 1992 through June 30, 1996, $4.1 million in grant funds were awarded to 30 local and regional governments and state agcncies for projects including stream bank stabilization and restoration, assessment of nonpoint source impacts on ground water and surface water, comprehensive watershed management planning and support of local stream watch programs,
Discharges of stormwater to the waters of the state are regulated under the NPDES permit program. In

1993, EPD isslled a General NPDES Permit to
regulate the discharge of stormwater from certain types of industrial activities. By the end of 1996, approximately 2700 facilities wcn: regulated under
this permit. PDES permits for municipal separate
stormwater sewer systems have been issued to 58 city and county governments.
Georgia's river basin planning strategy, also callcd the watershed approach, will allow for the integration of point and non point source water protection efforts for Georgia's 14 river basins. This approach will become the framework for water protection programs in our state.
STREAM AND LAKE QUALITY
STREAM DESIGNATIONS
One method to evaluate the quality of Georgia's waters is to judge how well they support the uSC'!> for which they have been dt.signated. Streams in Georgia arc classified as either fishing, recreation, drinking
water, wild river, scenic river, or coastal fishing. In 1994-1995, EPD evaluated 8,197 miles of streams,
397,617 acres of lakes/reservoirs, and 854 square miles of estuaries for support of designated uses. Most of these areas arc downstream of urban or industrial areas. Forty.eight percent of all assessed waters fully supported designated uses; 31 percent partially supported, and 23 percent did not support designated uSC'!>. It is important to note that this data does IIot reflect the rate of achievement of designated uSC'!> for I'll Georgia waters. EPD selects waterbodies most likely to be affected by pollution for assessment. Consequently, the percentage of stream segments not supporting designated uses is greater than if a random sample of segments were selected.

10UI(!\ 0, NOH\UPPOIT Of
D!\IGIIATfD UI!\ 0, LIKIS AIID ITiIAM\

25

20

15

10

-, -, 5

M;:r M..... 'e' 0

1_5'rioI lI_sfriol

PoiI!

PoO

Miled NMpoilII o,-::I:'ws

250

200

150

100

50

M_:,r M...... 'Cd 0 IMustrial IHlfStrial Point NOlIpoiItt Poin

Mixed Nonpotlll Ov::w:rws Nonpoitf

sold or used for many years, they continue 10 persist in our environment because they were widely used and do not break down easily. One way that we may be exposed to these chcnllcals is by consuming fish that live in streams or lakes where these chemicals an: found in the sediments. The DNR tests fish for many chemicals and evaluates the information to determine whether fish can be safely consumed. This inform<Jtion is published in fish consumption guidelines that make recommendations for consumption based on al10wablc meals/week or month. The information is generated for different fish species and sizes. DNR's 1996 Fish Consumption Guidelines list ten lakes and seven river segments where linle or no contamination has been found resulting in no restrictions on consump tion. One lake (Hartwell), and one river segment (Tunic) have sufficient chemical contamination that recommendations suggest that some fish should not be consumed at all. Sixteen lakes and 15 river segments have some level of fish consumption restriction (1 meal/week or meal/month).
OTHER FACTORS
The quality of water in streams and lakes is strongly influenced by stormwatcr washing sediment and bacteria into the waters. This sediment results in muddy, turbid rivers and lakes. The bacteria can be associated with organisms which could cause disease or illness.

Violations of standards for metals and fecal

CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS

Land lise in the immediate area of a stream may

coliform bacteria arc responsible for nonsupport

When assessing the overall quality of streams and

affect thc habitat (such as boltom substratc, bank

in the majority of cases. Point sources of

lakes from a chemical contaminant standpoint, water

stability, and shade) associated with some Georgia

pollution arc associated with t 6% of the stream

quality, sediment quality, and fish tissue quality an: all

waters. In some cases, this habitat change impairs

miles and 30% of lake aues with violations.

important. In general, the concentrations of chemical

fish populations.

This indicates that efforts to control point

pollutants in the Il>attr of Georgia's streams and lakes

sources of water pollution arc generally effective.

arc low. However, SlJi,"tnts of streams and lakes do

EPD publishes a detailed report (known as the 305(b)

Nonpoint sources of pollution account for 84%

contain measurable amounts of some chemicals

report) on water quality every two years, and D R

of the stream miles and 70% of lake acres with violations.

(PCBs, chlorinated J}CSticides) that are a concern. Even though many of these chemicals have not been

publishes an annual fish consumption advisory. These arc available to the public for site-specific infomliltion.

o

EPD regulates drinking water systems wensure

Surface water is the

the quality of drinking water supplied w the public.

sole drinking water

This regulation includes water source testing and

source for over half of

approval, treatment system approval, moniwring and

the population served

testing of drinking water, water conservation and the

by community water

enforcement of drinking water standards (known as

systems. Ground

"maximum contaminant levelsM). EPD perfonns the

water is the sole

laboratory testing for most drinking water systems.

source of water for

1,430 community

There are 2,625 public drinking water systems in

water systems, but

Georgia:

supplies only 24 per-

cent of the population.

98'2 are non-community systems that serve

Ground water in our

schools, industries, rest stops, and restaurants

state is generally of

high quality, and

1,643 are community water systems that serve

receives adequate

approximately 5.93 million residents in cities,

filtr.Hion from the

subdivisions, apartments and mobile homes

soil. DIsinfection is

rcquired of most

The number of customers served by community water systems varies from 25 to over 650,000 persons.

public ground water
systems w guard

Over 78 percent (1,286) of Georgia's community

against contamination

water systems serve 1000 persons or less; 78 systems

from water line breaks.

serve more than 10,000 persons.

Wellhead protL"Ctiol1

plans to avoid the

Sources Of Drinking Water For Community Water Systems

accidental pollution of underground drinking water supplies arc also

Surface Water

...... required of all city and
county systems.

3.9 Million Persons

All public water systems in Georgia periodIcally monitor for acute contaminants such as bacteria and

nitrates which could cause immediate illness.

Standards arc also established for other contaminants

including organic and inorganic chemicals, radioactiv-

ity, and turbidity. Drinking water is tested for up to

163 types of contaminants, If a system fails to test its

water system as required or if test results show that

the water being supplied exceeds the maxi
Ground Water mum contaminant level set by the Safe

& Surface Water Drinking Water Act, the system must

0.6 Million Persons

notify its customers and the public.

Ground Water
1.4 Million Persons

From October I, 1995 through September 30, 1996, over 93% (S.SI million residents) of the population servcd by community watcr systems received drinking water that complied with all

monitoring requirements and all primary mallimum contaminant levels. The majority of all drinking water violations (84%) involved failure to submit a sample, or failure to report test results. These administrative violations do not mean there were any problems with the quality of the drinking water being served. Violations of standards for total colifonn bacteria occurred in 95 community water systems serving 211,524 persons. Total colifonn bacteria is used as an indicator that additional testing of the system is required to evaluate health risks. Drinking water which exceeds the standard for total colifonn bacteria is tested for fecal colifonn, a bacteria that can pose an immediate health Ihreal. Only 11 violations of standards for fecal colifonn were reported in systems serving 2,841 persons. Two violations for nitrates were rcported by systems serving 1,275 rcsidelUs. Violations of other primary maximum contaminant levels (fluoride, cadmium, thallium, benzene)
occurred in 5 systems serving 16,726 persons. Ie is
important to note that most violations are brief in duration and quickly resolved.
EPD is working with public water systems in Georgia to ensure Ihat corrosive water does not cause public health problems. The reaction between corrosive water and lead and copper piplOg can result in unsafe levels of lead and copper 111 drinking water. More than 2000 public water systems have participated 10 a phased monitoring program which began in 1992.

Community Water Systems with Acute Violations

Four systems serving morc than 50,000 customers, 17 systems serving 3,301-50,000 customers and 400 systems serving less than 3,301 customers exceeded the action levels for

Atule lonlominanls (fMol coliform ond nitrates) con pose immediate

lead and/or copper. These systems must install corro-

health threats. viololions of otute drinking waler standards olcurred

sian control treatment to reduce the levels of lead and

in 13 (ommunity waler systems Irom O<lober 1,1995 through

copper at the consumer's lap. The four largest systems

Seplembel30, 1996. All yiololioDi bon been resolved

have completed these improvcmcOls and will monitor

"'''I~''''~~
fil/l' --;+~ .,~
,he . ._"".- . . . ._
1.....-.s-. I"..iiIIII ~ ~ ~# ..a R

during 1997 to determine the effectiveness of the corrOSion control measurcs
Amm,1 w"',, Imm ,.,Icultu"r ,c,I,It,,, 'nd u<e
of chemIcals such as pesticldcs and fertilizers have cOnlributed to pollution of ground water suppllcs

,h,lIow wel, few ~_ !r"!~":~ .~a~_.l~i~ ~.ia!I.!~ ~~~~~.~.~....~~ ~i.n'.S.O-,.t..I.:II..~It-I=rA.~ 7~~elii. iS.~0~.: ~~,~~ n~ -Uw5e~llsdfo~:r';m~:~tr~a:a~ter:~se,[~aa~0nU~';dn,":b~m"u~"o~t,cree~cdl~dth1hn"0a::an~d:n1J1~0at0"c"0e"e"n",rt

polu"on,

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"",no" 01

'''ch

..... ~ ~rr.

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Prolonged droughts during the 1980s severely impacted the availability of drinking water in Ceorgia, Georgians were reminded that water is a finite commodity, and that water conservation must become part of our daily routines. Water conservation measures to reduce rcsidentialusc can yield significant savings and will ensure the availability of ade<luate drinking water for a groWing population.

'_III........ & t

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~

a

-

I"R*/n:::::::::',o .~-\. -~ ..j~.lI.I:J,.l't~,!

f"tc,~u~~~~~I;~,~;d;cn~~~h:~~c~':~:',~"
tlon by CryptospondlUrn

or Gllmlm, mIcroscopIC parasites

Percenl of (ounly Popuiolions Served by

,hot con CO"" "nou, ,ymp'om"n

( ommunlly W olerSysleW ms 'IIh Acule V1' 0Iallons

people with weak immune systems.
They,,, Imo,d I" ,In'o;( ,II 'yp" 01

surface waters. The one outbreak of cryptospiridiosis

6% - 15%

1% - 5%

in Georgia occurred in Carroll County in 1987. Since
less than 1% EPD requires filtration for all surface water systems,

No Acute Mel Violations

the risk for cOnlamination of water supplies by these organisms is significantly reduced.

.......

Georgia's surface and subsurface (ground) waters support commercial, industrial, personal, recreational, and agricultural activilies throughout the state. Such extensive and varied usc of our water supplies has highlighted the current need for extensive planning and aggressive conselVation measures to minimize adverse environmental impacts.
In general, north Georgia makes use of its surface waters while southern Georgia relies on ground water for its water supply. Most of the time, water from rivers and streams can meet north Georgia's water supply needs. However, abundant rainfall is essential to maintaining nonh Georgia's water supply. The water supplies in north Ceorgia are stressed during drought years.

212 municipal ground water systems have active withdrawal permits. These permit about 1,800 million

TYPICAL HOUSEHOlD WmR USE

gallons of water per day (on a monthly average) to be

withdrawn by municipalities; however, actual water

Baths use is normally far lower than these Toilet _ _':'. permitted values. An additional 1,200

Leakag~e

million gallons per day (though, again, acrual use is lower) IS permitted to be

5% 9%

withdrawn by 332 industries in Georgia.

Two-thirds of these 1l1duslr1es withdraw

from ground water
su~plies. Industries Dishwasher 3
US1l1g the most water

include pulp and paper (32 r million

gallom per day) and kaolin (104 million

gallons per day).

Southern Georgia, on the other hand, uses water from the Floridiln, Clayton, Claiborne and other aquifers to supply municipal, industrial and agricultural needs, These aquifers are subsurface layers of porous soils and rocks which contain water. The waters of these aquifers arc inexpensive to pump, readily available, and relatively protected from droughts.
A surface water or ground water withdrawal or diversion which exceeds 100,000 gallons per day (on a monthly average) requires a withdrawal permit. In Georgia, 167 mUlllcipal surface water systems and

Agricultural surface and ground water users represent the largest 11llmber of withdrawal permittees in Georgia. Since 1988, EPD has issued 18,500 agricultural water withdrawal permits, 10,650 for surface water and 7,850 for ground water. Permit limits for withdrawal arc based on the capacity of the pumping equipment to be used. Most agricultural water use is concentrated in southeastern and southwestern Georgia.
SE GEORGIA GROUND WATER STRATEGY

Water Use By Category

MilliON GAllONS PER DAY % CHANGE
1970 1980 1990 1970-1990

564 718 963

71

HOUSEHOLD WELLS 59

138

141

139

63

605

487

673

INDUSTRIAL

932 826 701

-25

1618 2287 2292 42

Twenty-four counties of southeast Georgia (coastal region), in addition to portions of northeast Florida and southeast South Carolina, rely heavily on one underground water source, the Upper Floridan Aquifer. Over time, extensive use has reduced watcr pressure ill this aquifer, As a result, saltwater is contaminating the water supply, In the Brunswick/Glynn County area, saltwater from a lower aquifer is flowing upward into the Upper Floridan. Municipal water supply wells in the City of Brunswick have been closed because of this intrusion, In the Savannah/Hilton Head area, the reduced pressure is allowin~ horizontal movement of saltwater into the Upper Floridan.

This process is called saltwater encroachment. EPD, along with sister agencies in Florida and South Carolina, is working on a comprehensive solution to problems associated with regional use of the Upper Floridan Aquifer. In 1996, an interim strategy for ground water use in southeast Georgia was proposed. The strategy, to be fully implemented by 2005, consists of the following components:
.:. Water supply planning which would include data collection and annual use estimates
.:. Conservation and alternative water supplies
.:. Adjusted water withdrawal permitting
.:. Technical investigations of the salt water intrusion to develop a way to stop it

CLAYTON AQUIFER
The Clayton aquifer in the Albany area of southwest Georgia is used extensively for existing municipal, industrial and especially agricultural water uscs. Unfortunately, overuse has led to a severe decline in the aquifer pressure. Recharge to the aquifer is not keeping up with the heavy withdrawals. The Clayton Aquifer is considered the most stressed aquifer in the system of aquifers in southwest Georgia and is not capable of supporting any additional withdrawals in most parts of the region. To offset this declining pressure trend, EPD has prohibited new and ;ncrt:ased usage by municipal, industrial, and agricultural users from the Clayton aquifer.
Household Wells
W:,Tf I: Us: (1 09())

COMPREHENSIVE STUDY

Surface water supply is critical

in North Georgia ilnd is being addr~ssed, in part, through a

comprehensive study, On January

3, 1992, the governors of Alabama,

Florida and Georgia, and the

Assistant Secretary of the Army

for Civil Works signed a

Memorandum of Agreement

committing to work together as equal partners through a

~-FLINT

comprehensive study process.

The process addresses concerns

raised by Slakeholders about

reservoir storage reallocalion

proposals by the Corps of Engineers. ModifIed operation

TALLAPOOSA::-''''''~

of federal storage projecls

(Lanier, Carters and Allaloona)

could have significant

adverse impacts on

downstream water needs

such as navigation, water supply, and

the ecological balance of the

Apalachicola River and Bay.

The study includes the

ACT/ ACF RIVER BASINS

Alabama/CoosafTallapoosa Basins

(ACT) and the Apalachicola/Chattahoochee/Flint Basins (ACF). The aim of this study is to identify current and future water

Issues addressed through the ACf/ACF Comprehensive Study impact many Georgians: the affected area covers 38% of the state's land

needs and to determine a mechanism for managing and allocating water

area and over 60% of the state's population.

equitably to all

CONSERVATION

AQUATIC LIFE NEEDS

Water conservation is an important part of EPD water management strategies in both north and south Georgia for in home, industrial and agricultural use. State law and DNR rules require that nonagricultural water users prepare and implement water conservation plans.

Proper management of Ceorgia's water resources is essential in meeting our current ,lIld future water use demands. However, the protection o( aquatic life is also very important. EPD is currently working with DNR's Wildlife Resources Division and others to develop an improved strategy to preserve stream flows for aquatic life proteclion.

Air pollution comes from a number of different sources. Stationary sources (factories, power pl3nts, smelters), mobile sources (cars, buses, planes, trucks and trains) and natural sources (wildfires, vegetation, windblown dust) all contribute to air pollution.
Since 1970, federal and state regulations have restricted air emissions by industry, resulting in significant reductions in the concentrations of pollutants in our air. The efforts of Georgia industry to control emiSSions have been very effective. In 1995, over 90% of pcnnitted stationary sources in Georgia were in compliance with pennit limits.
AMBIENT AIR QUALITY
Georgia has adopted national ambient air quality standards for six pollutants to protect public health and welfare. These pollutants (shown below) have the potential to be present in large urb3n areas nationally in amounts which can cause adverse health effects:
(U.ON MONOIIDE 0)
A colorless, odorless poisQnc)u<; lIiS formnl ""hen carbon ,n foci.
,\ Il(){ burned (ompk-ICIy A bypmthoct 01 moIOf vchM;k- cx~t
llA. (PbJ
Smeltcrs ~nd battery plants are InaJor ,ourc"".
NITROGEN DIOllDE (N02)
A "'lrogen oXldc {NUX) which com... fron> motor vchic1e ,"xhau\t
..nd .{allonary 'iOUrce<; (clC<:lnc uul,tlcs and InduSlrial bo,1cn),
Rc<>cts m the air 10 form COrTO'iIVC mtnc <>Cld and toxic;; orxamc mlnle<;
Abo has a majOr rotc In producllon of JI"OUnd-kvd oz~
PUTICULATE MATTER (P.10)
Solid Or liqUId partlc1cs found In the air, Source. mc1ud.. mOOllc and ,tationary ,ourc... (d,cscllruch, mdust.,al proce.>es, powcr plams)
SUlfUR DIOIIDE (S02)
Formed ""hen Iud conla,,"ng wlfur (coal and oil) is bur....d, dunng metal \InChIng and (){her ,ndu~lrtal proc~
OlOMl (03)
FOflllCd ""hen volatIle OJ~lnlC compounds (VOQ;)
'>IICh is pallll thInners, 81.01,,,,,, Ind aUlomOOllc cxhausl fumc<.
evaporate ,nto lhe atll1osph~'f'C and reael Wllh ponutant~ called nitrogen oXidc~ (NOX) in the prt."SCIl<;e of sunllghl

To determine compli. ance WIth thC"iC standards, EPD has set up a state-wide air sampling network of approximately 70 locations, mostly ill heavily populated areas. Over the years, this monitoring has enabled EPD to identify portions of the state that require additional air pollution controls or actions 10 ensure protection of the public. Trends from this monitoring network indicate that most areas of Georgia have dean air, even with population and industrial growth. The graphs on this page chart annual averages since the mid 1980's across all monitoring sites for carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxidc, particulate matter 3nd sulfur dioxide.

State-wide Air Quality Trend.

Carbon M.onoxide
8.0 SianDd: 9.0
6.011-+-f-i~-l'~++++l
~
"
~ 5.0 1-+-+-+-+-+..f-+~'+~-1
4.0 '-8:S':8-6o'87-'8,8~-89'c9-0~~91:-9o2'-9'3 ,9-4: 95 Year

Lead

~1.S

1.5

. . . , '

-2 1.2 ~~~ '\._~~
IiiQl,l

>'il"I,i~>",~

".

_;

'u" ii;2

.' """'"

E

.:Sg o.9

E O.6
e gm O.3

" - 1-7 O.0 8S 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 9S

Yeal"

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E

."~ o
);

40

Eo
."~
,. 30 L L-L-1.-1.--L...L...L-L_

87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95

Year

Sulfur Dioxide

, . 0.1

sa.bd 014

c 0.1

"-

0.09

"~


0.06

0
~

1"0.

0.03

r--.

0.00 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 Yeal"

Ceoq;ia's air meels national ~landards for all pollutants except o:wnc. The t 3 county Atlanta metropolitan area has been declared a "serious" nonallainment area fOT ozone and includes Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DcKalb, Douglas, FayeUe, Forsylh, Fullon, Cwinnelt, Henry, I)aulding, and Rockdale counties. The slandard for ground-level ozone was exceeded in the metropolitan Atlanta area for 16 days in 1995 and 7 days in 1996. A violation is recorded if the ozone level exceeds 0.12 parts per million for a one hour period. There have been no violations of the other five pollutanls in Ceorgia since 1992.

Nitrogen Dioxide
SlIIdrio.050
0.05
c o.04HH-++++-~R-+~

" 0.03HH-++++-l-IH-+--i
o.o2Lkt:l::t:~WWWJJ
o.OII-HH--+-+++++-+-1
0.00 LL.a.sJ,-8.6.l8~78-88~9~9~L..0J,-9.1.l9,2...9J3,,9.4-J 95
Yeal"

0.00 0.04 0.08 0.12 0.16 0.20
Standard. 0.12 Parts Per Millian By V.I.m.
GROUND LEVEL OZONE
High levels of ozone can cause respiratory distress and disease in humans and lower yields of agricultural crops and forests. Ground level ozone forms when volatile organic compounds (Vae) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) intcrilct in the presence of sunlight. Intense sunlight, warm temperatures, stagnant high pressure wcather systems and low wind speeds can cause OZOne to accumulate in harmful amounts. Levels typic<ll1y rise during the May through September period,
The Federal Clean Air Act Amendment's of 1990
required voe reductions of 15% by 1996.. Georgia
mel that rcquircmcm. Further reductions of 3% per
year for voe and NOX (Ire required through 1999.
Air quality rules regulate pollution from industrial sourc~, gasoline stations, open burning, and other sourc~ to help meet these goals.

An inventory performed in 1990 indicated motor vehicles and industrial sources arc the primary manmade contributors of the VOC and NOX that form ozone in metro Atlanta_ To control emissions from motor vehicl~, Ell!) is implementing an automobile inspection program aimed at keeping metro Atlanta's 2 million cars in good running condition so they emit I~s pollution. Though annual emissions inspcctions have been required in Cobb, DcKalb, Fulton, and G....innell Counti~ since 1982, additional measures are no.... required to improve the quality of Atlanta's air. The new enhanced vehicle emission inspection program began on October I, 1996, and affects the entire thirteen-county ozone non-attainment area.
Ground-level ozone has been a pervasive pollution problem throughout the U.S.-over 50 major cities across the country have not attained the ozone standard. Emissions from mOlOr vehicles and station;lIY sources in one area can be carried great distances, forming high ozonc concentrations in other areas many miles away. Solutions arc not easily found. EPD is currently participating in the Ozone Transport Assessment Group, a consortium of 37 statcs developing solutions to the ozone problem by sophisticated computer modeling. This scientific process may suggesl regional, or pcrh<lp!i even national, controls to help Atlanta and other citi~ attain the ozone standard.
TOXIC AIR EMISSIONS
Toxic air pollutants are those chemicals in the air that we breathe that may cause serious health effects. They are a result of many human activities.
EPD began monitoring air taxies in 1993 with the implementation of an intensive study in the Chatham COllnty area, A n:port on the study was released in 1996 with measurements of 200 airborne chemicals from numerous Chatham County locations. The amounts of most chemicals measured were within the range normally reported in the U.S. for urban locations with similar populations and industrial bases. However, formaldehyde was found in higher concentrations th<ln could be accounted for. Additional monitoring is underway to further

evaluate formaldehyde concentrations and impacts on air quality in Chatham County.

EPD is expanding its program to monitor air toxies by developing a statcwide network of fixed sites. The network will include mral background sites for forested and non-forested arcas, as well as urban and industrial sites. The first five sites of the air toxics network were established in 5cptember, 1996 in Augusta, Savannah, Dawsonville, Brunswick, and Fulton County. Siles to become operational in 1997 include Albany, ;"-Iacon, Gainesville, Rome, and Warner Robins. The nelwork will be expanded 10 20 sites by 2000.

Air concentrations of more than 200 chemicals will be monitored at each site at 12.day intervals. The data will be used to conduct detailed trcnd analyses and comparative risk evaluations, understand seasonal and weather-related variations in air toxics and idcntify locations where additional information needs to be collected.

EPD regulates air toxics through its permit system,
ilnd will be requiring compliance with new federal
toxies limits from industrial and commercIal sources over the next several years_ These controls, along ....ith the expanded toxics monitoring network, will result In improved air quality.

A,.owing

Atlanta Metro Area Ozone

"""..... one! ilKleasing
number of outomobiles hove kepI Atlanlo from meeling the ombient oir quolily stondord

3. ,-----_~------,3.

-"

-~ 2Sf------"


-~

201---'"


-~ ISf---f
+ a I.r'....

--.2S



2.


..

I.IS


"

a

,a

a

for ozone.
AI"'gh Atlonta's

-a

zE

sf--4If--

a a
S

".i.n_ popololion is
growing 10Pidly,

.L-<~~~~~~-'--~~~-'-'
~llnU~~"VU"~'ln"~~%

exceedonr:es hem

no1

prpPOf1iorlrtely.

Yea'

Hazardous wastes pose a threat to human health and the environment since mismanagement may cause serious illness and environmental damage. Hazardous wastes are chemical wastes that are toxic, ignitable, reactive or corrosive,

to off-site hazardous waSk management facilities for ultimatr;: treatment and disposal In 1995, 150,000 tons of hazardous waste were shipped off-site

OFF-SITE HAZARDOUS WASTE SHIPMENT
200,000

In 1995, slightly more than 400 hazardous waste generators in Ceorgia produced about 6.5 million tonS of waste (including wastewater).

Large quantity generatOrs are those which generate morr;: than 220 pounds of hazardous waste

..c lS0,0001---------f
~

Over the past 10 years, pollution prevention efforts by the industries, businesses and governments which produce such waste have reduced the total amount of hazardous waste generated in Georgia by 85%.

per month. From 1981 to 1995, the total number of large quantity hazardous waste generators in Ceorgia decreased by 60%. This downward trend is good siner;: the risks of waste mismanagr;:ment are

:z:
~

100,000

~
Z
'~ " 50,000

Relatively dilllte hazardous wastewater comprises the

reduced as the number of genera-

majority of all hazardolls wastes generated, This wastewater is detoxified or neutralized on-site to non-hazardous levels and is safely released into surface water through permitted discharge points. Most of the remaining hazardous waste volumr;: is concr;:ntrat-

tors decreases The total number of facilities that treated, stored or disposed of hazardous waste also fell sharply during the same time period

o 'S5 'S7 '89 '91 '93 '95 YEAR

ed chemical process residuals which must be shipped

Federal and state regulations to control hazardous

wastes were passed in 1980,

HAZARDOUS WASTE GENERATION IN GEORCIA

beginning a new era of limiting the release of chemicals

40~-

to the environment. EPD is authorized to operate the

351--

301--

~
e
..o...

251---

federal hazardous waste management program 111 liell of US EPA, under the allthority of the Ceorgia Hazardous Waste Management Act

e
:..e2-

201-151--

Ceorgia was the only state in the nation that complkd with the federal hazardous waste law requiring final

101---

permit decisions to be made on all existing land disposal

51--OL--
'85 '87 '89 '91 '93 '95

facilities by 1988. Permit decisions were also made on all existing hazardous waste incineration and storage facilities by 1989, several years ahead of the federal

In 1985, sixty active hazardous waste land disposal facilities were required to close. Ten facilities were able to sllCcessflll1y remove all waste and contamination; 50 arc required to permanently monitor and control the remaining residues. Twentytwo of these closed hazardous waste disposal facilities have installed ground water decontamination and control systems that are improving ground water quality.
EPD is also requiring cleanup at 41 hazardous waste treatment and storage facilities which have contamination from disposal areas used before the era of environmental regulation Eighteen of these facilities have installed ground water decontamination systems that are improving ground water quality.
A permit to operate a hazardous waste disposal facility has not heen issued in Ceorgia Since adequate hazardous waste disposal capacity is avail able nationwide, it is nOt anticipated that any new hazardous waste disposal facilities will be needed in the foreseeable future

YEAR

deadline

HAZARDOUS SITES

nated sites (known as the Hazardous Site Inventory), and deed notices for properties with significant contamination. The Act also establishes the Hazardous

STATE SUPERFUND PROGRAM INVES nCATIONS AND CLEANUPS

Before 1980, hazardous wastes were commonly

Waste Trust Fund which is used by EPO

disposed of in unlined landfills or simply dumped with litlle or no control. The federal Superfund law
was cnacled in 1980 to address hazards caused by such unconlroll~d dumping. Currently, 14 sites in

to investigate and clean up sites when the

Privately funded

persons responsible for contamination arc unable or unwilling to do so. The fund is supported by fees on solid and hazardous waste,

cleanups in progress

State and privately funded cleanups pending

Georgia are included on U.S. EPA:s National Priorities fees on relea~s of hazardous substances, and fines

List (NPL) of the 1,210 worst hazardous waste sites in the country. EPA adds and deletes sites 10 this list

collected under Georgia's various environmental laws. These fees also encourage waste generiHors

106

each year. Sites on the federal NPL will be cleaned

10 consider ways to reduce the amount of wastes

up under the supervision of EPA by either responsible they generate and to manage their wastes in a

parties or through a combination of federal and state

more environmentally acceptable manner.

funds. Detailed investigations and cleanup are in

various stages of completion at all 14 sites.

Currently, there are 336 sites on the Hazardous

Site Inventory. Th~ sites will be investigated

In 1992, Governor Miller called for an expanded statc and cleaned up either by the persons responsible for

law to dean up abandoned hazardous waste sites that coold not ~ addrt"s~d under either the federal Superfund or then existing State law. In response, the
General Assembly passed the Georgia Hazardous Site Respon~ Act. It alerts the public 10 the existence of

the contamination or by EPD. In cases where the persons responsible are financially unable or unwilling to clean up or investigate a site themselves, EPD may investigate the site and undertake the cleanup with state contractors using money from the trust fund.

State funded cleanups
completed

State funded cleanups in progress

contaminated sill:s through several means: reporting

EPD may later seek to recover its costs from responsi-

requirements, annual publication of a list of contami-

ble parties. Since 1992, a 10tal of 152 privately-funded actions were started, with

o Protecting approximalely 1,000 people who live

LARCE QUAN III Y HAZARI >OUS WASTE GENERAl ORS 27 of them now complete. During Ihe same period, EPD

in the Atlanta Housing Authority's Herndon Homes community from being exposed to hannful levels

1200

commiHed $30.8 million from the trust fund to 78 investiga-

of toxic substances by removing soil contamination ($4.6 million)

~

..co:
.0...

1000

co:
~

800

:z

~
C> 600

~
..0
co: 400
~

:e :=z

200

0

tions and cleanups, and 29 of them have been completed. These state-funded actions arc protecting people and the environment from exposure to toxic chemicals by doing such things as:
o Installing nearly 10 miles
of water lines to provide safe drinking water to 242 Bibb County families whose wells were threatened by ground water contamination from hazardous chemicals ($260,000)

o Removal and safe disposal of an estimated 60,000
tons of abandoned hazardous waste from old wood treating operations in Bnmswick and Baxley ($7.6 million)
o Removal and safe disposal of more than 1,200 tons
of toxic and ignitable waste from abandoned sites in AtI<lnta, ArC<lde and Cordon ($3.6 million)
() Removal and s<lfe dispos<ll of over 4,000 tons of contaminated soil from the abandoned Scripto.Tokai facility in the area of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Visitor Center ($747,600)
o Assisting 15 local government's with cleanup
of contamination from old unlined landfills ($1.9 million)

YEAR

Privately funded cleanups completed

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
Each person in Ceorgia gencrates about 7.5 pounds of solid waste per day. This amount includes garbage and trash (rom individual households, as well as wastes generated by hospitals, schools, restaurants, offices and industrial facilities. In 1996 Georgians disposed of 9,874,000 tons of solid waste. All of this
waste must be properly managed to minimize adverse impacts to public health, safelY and the environment.
Solid waste IS mana!led and regulated under provisions of the ComprehenSive Solid Waste ~"ilnagcmcnt Act of 1990. This law, first adopted in 19n, was complcldy rewritten in 1990 to place greater emphasis on wasu~ reduction and recycling and the upgrading of
Georgia's landfills 10 be more protective of human
health and the environment. The current law seeks to ensure that all municipal solid waste landfills are lined, have leachate collection systems, and arc monitored to detect releases of contaminants to the environment. In addition, this law requires that at least 10 years of
disposal capacity be made available.
The EPD currently regulates some 457 permitted solid waste disposal facilities, both operational or in POSt closure care. An additional 2210 permit-by-rule facilities are also regulated. Solid waste handling facilities include landfills, incinerators, material recovel)' facilities, transfer stations, composting operations and land application sites. The following chart shows the types and numbers of solid waste handling facilities currently regulated:
SOUl) WASTE HANDLINC FACIUTIf:S

As a result of more stringent design standards, landfills have decreased in number and illlproved in quality. Sinn: the inct.'ption of Georgia's first solid waste management law in 1972, 175 landfills have been officially closed. An additional 70 landfills that no longer receive wastes are in the process of being properly closed.

Disposal of Municipal Solid Waste
100 801---601----

In 1990, only 8 of Georgia's landfills had protective liners and leachate collection systems. Today there are 35 operating landfills with liners and leachate collection systems that receive over 65% of Georgia's municipal solid waste. r-..lost of the 66 operational unlined landfills have Ix:en 8ranted permit modifications that will require them to close on or before July I, 1998.

401---

201---

01..--

1993

1994

1995

1996

Year

_ Lined Landfill _ Unlined Landfill

Both operational and closed landfills ine closely monitored 10 ensure the protection of ground water and other resources. Of the 181 municipal solid waste landfills regulated in 1991, 164 have EPD approved ground water monitoring systems, and 177 have EPD approved methane monitoring programs. Monitoring has confimled releases to ground water at 63 unlined municipal solid waste landfills. Twenty-nine of these facilities are currently undergoing contamination assessment or cleanup.
Prior to 1990, no certification of municipal solid waste landfill operators was required. EPD, in cooperation with the Georgia Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America and Southern Polytechnic State University, has since established the Certified Landfill Operator Training Course and over 625 operators have been trained, certified or recertified, All operating municipal solid waste landfills have at least one certified operator on site when waste is being received and disposed
While waste reduction and recycling are important components of the overall solid waste management strategy for Georgia, the success of such efforts relies in large part on making sure that all persons disposing

of solid waste do so in an environmentally acceptable manner. In 1990, Georgia had less than 5 years of disposal capacity, much of which did not meet the new more stringent state and federal standards_ To ensure adequate capacity, the 1990 law required EPD and local governments to plan for at least 10 years of disposal capacity. Georgia now has in excess of 213,819,000 cubic yards of disposal capacity, enough to last 15 years at current disposal rates. In addition, 88% of this capacity meets new more environmentally stringent siting, design and constmction standards. As a result, the alternatives for solid waste handling (e,g. recycling, waste reduction, and composting) will likely become more cost effective
SOLID WASTE REDUCTION
The Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Act of 1990 encOtlfages solid waste reduction through source reduction, reuse, composting and recycling. The amount of solid waste disposed per person decreased 5.4% from 1992 . 1994. However, the per capita disposal rate rose from 6.84 pounds per day in 1994 to 7.49 pounds per day in 1995. Despite increased emphasis and incentives to reduce waste, the tolal amount o( waste disposed in Georgia increased by

200,000 IOns in 1996. Generally, these increases can be attributed to population growth, to individuals generating more waste, to Olympic construction and preparation, and 10 the impact of disposal from several natural disasters.
Source reduction, simply not generating as much waste, benefits everyone by leading to more efficient production procC'j~, COSt savings in production and disposal, etc. Examples include reusable packaging and streamlined production processes. However, many other methods of source reduction must be developed, explored and implemented before a signifICant reduction in total wasle generation is realized.

SCRAP TIRES
Approximately 6 to 7 million scrap tires are generated annually 10 Georgia. In the past, many scrap tires were improperly discarded. Illegally disposed tires often catch fire, causing the release of toxic air emis sions, or cause ground water contaminatIon. EPI) is responsible for preventing the creation of new scrap tire piles and for cleaning up existing tire pllcs. Tire carriers, generators, retailers, and processors of tircs arc regulated by EPD; 218 Scrap lire Carrier Pennits are active and six scrap tire processors are in operation producing tire chips and crumb rubber.

As an alternative 10 disposal, recycling is often the most recognized option. Over 500 communities have initiated recycling programs and services and over 345 companies are involved in recycling as processors and end-users, A recent survey of Georgia recycling companies found that at least 33 percent of the materials that would otherwise be disposed of in the state is being recycled. When compared with recycling rates provided by other states to industry publications, Georgia's rate ranks among the top ten in the United States. Though recycling markets fluctuate, they appear 10 be sufficient to handle Georgia's recyclable materials.

Since January 1, 1995, a ban on the land filling of whole, shredded, or chipped tires has been in effect. More than 10,5 million scrap tires per year are now being recycled by EPDapproved facilities in Ceorgia. Most tires arc shredded into chips and used as supplemental fuel by the paper mill industry, as substitute gravel in septic tank drain lines, and for various civil engim:ering projects. Tires are also being reused in the production of ilems such as bush hog wheels, dock bumpers, and landscaping mulch. The use of crumb rubber in the construction of rubberasphalt highway construction projects, carpet manufacturing,

Composting programs divert organic wastcs, such as leavcs and brush, from landfills and fonn a hcneficial end-product. Simple backyard compost 109 can be undertaken by most individuals. More complex municipal and privatc com posting ventures may incorporate additionaltypcs of organic wastes, such as wastewater treatment plant sludges, on a large scale. To discourage use of valuable landfill space for disposal of yard trimmings which are best used as compost at home or disposed in inert facilities, users were required to separate yard trimmings from garbage beginning September 1, 1996, Through this e(fort, per capita waste disposal should dccrease in 1997 and in the future.

rubber molded products, and co blending with plas tics is a rapidly growing reust: of scrap tires.
A $1.00 management fee is collected on the retaIl sale of each new tire sold in Georgia and depostled into a truSI fund. More than $20 million have been collected since July, 1992. EPl) uscs thIs fund to clean up scrap tire piles through contracts with a private company or by awardmg cleanup grants 10 local governments. Over 300 tire dumps throughout the state, containing over 5 mIllion tIres, have been idenllfied. Eightyfive (85) of those SHes, whIch mcluded over 4 million tires, have been cleaned up using the trust fund.
The tniSt fund is also used 10 award Enforcement and Education Grants to local govt:rnments. These grants help cities and COuntTcS hirt: an enforcement officer to inspect locill tire deillers, gem:riltOrS, carriers, and processors. Crants are also awarded to local govcrn!l1ents for scrap tire/solid waSte education programs which educate citizens ahout proper scrap tire disposal, and the potential uses o( recycled tires. To date, $1.5 million has been granted 10 36 local governments for enforcement and education grants.

TOXles RELEASE INVENTORY

Top Ten Chemicals Released 1995

M.thanol___

22.0%

Ammonia _

_ 12.4%

same manufacturing facilities are reporting major increases in production Not only are overall releases of toxic substances lower than in previ ous years, but amounts released per unit of production volume are also significantly lower.

Each year manufacturing industries report their releases of specified toxic chemicals through the federal Toxics Release Invt:lllOry (TR1) Program. TRI data was inknded to bdter prepare communities and guvt:rnment to n:spond to chemical accidents and to mah: them morc informed about possible chemical hazards. Though the data does provide a general indication of what types and quantities of chemicals arc n:lcased, the TRI cannOI be used to draw conclusions on l;:llvironmcnl,,1 quality or Pllblic health threats since it is nOt a measurement of toxic concentrations in the environment. The chemicals reported an: not toxic in the concentrations released, and mosl releases arc regulated by environment... 1 restrictions I,;ontained in permits issued by EPD.

Nitrate Compounds

9.3%

Toluene

_ 5..2%

Xylene_ _

4.6%

Dlchlor.methon__ 3.6%

Hydrochloric AcicI_

3..5%

Methyl .thyl ton

3.2%

Glycol Ethers

2.7%

Styrene

2.3%

All Others31.2%

According to the most recent data, 59,8 million pounds of these specific chemicals were released to

All chemicals reported in the TRI are nOI equally toxic-the reporting of simple release I1llmbers alone docs not reflect the health and environmen tal hazards associated with them. Georgia ranks releases with a toxicity index which reflects both the amount released and the danger presented for 27 chemicals. The index suggests that two chemicals, chloroform and trichloroethylene, by far have the highest potential (or causing environmental and health effecl's in Georgia, The 1995 index values for both of these I,;hemicals was much lower than in 1994, resulting largely from the voluntary reduction of emissions by pulp and paper mills and aircraft mal1llfacturers.

air, land and water in Ceorgia in ]995. Emissions to

the air accOlll1ted for almost 79% of the total amount

released. The five counties

with the highest amounts of
TOTAL RELEASES OF TRI CHEMICALS toxic chemicals released

160

were, from largest to smallest: Richmond, Chatham, Floyd, Early and Decatur.

so

140
-.. 120

In 1995, methanol and ammonia remained the top two chemicals released.

c~
.2 40

..--c0- 100

..~
~

80

"cll 60

:)
0

40

Ii.

The 1995 data indicate a 48% decrease in total emissions, despite the addition of over 300 new compounds to the TRI list in 1995 by the U.s. EPA.
Releases arc down more than 50% from 1988,

~-.Q.. 30

...Ie...I...tI
'"III

20

Q

Z
::;)

10

20

... the first year of reportillg_ 0

This is particularly encourag-

o

ing given the fact that

'88 '89 '90 '91 '92 '93 '94 '95 Georgia's economy has

0

Year

grown significantly dllring this same period and these

1995 RELEASES BY MEDIA
WATER AIR LAND SEWER OFF-SITE TRANSFER

1995 TOXIC RELEASES BY COUNTY

UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS

Early 5.3

_~_ _KRi[hmond 14.2

Underground storage tanks (USTs) have been com monly used to store gasoline and other petroleum products for many years. Unfortunately, tanks were often installed in areas with shallow ground water and/or acidic soil, providing potential for leakage and contamination of soil, surface water and ground wateL The migration of fumes from leaking tanks can also present additional health and safety problems.

De,alur 5.1
Glynn 4.3 Fulton 4.1 Lowndes 3.7 Sumler 3.4 Bibb 3.1

In an effon to prevent such contamination, the Georgia General Assembly passed the Underground Storage Tank Act in 1988. That law requires tank systems to be structurally sound, to be protected against corrosion, and to have early leak detection equipment. Of the 47,528 operational tanks in Georgia, owners of 34% arc in compliance with these design standards. Owners of the remaining 31,368 tanks mUSt choose one of the following three options, by December 12, 1998, to comply with the law:

Georgia industry is makmg substantial strides in reducing emissions of toxic chemicals. Further reductions arc expected as companies track morc chemicals (over 700 beginning in 1996) and prioritize the most toxic for reduction. To aid in these efforts. the Pollution Prevention Assistance Division of the Department of Natural Resources assists companies in improving efficiency by preventing wilste that may be released to the environment. Staff engineers conduct on-site pollution prevention assessments, and also assist companies in setting up internal corporate pol. lution prevention programs.

1 add spill, overfill, and corrosion protection; OR
2 close the underground storage tank system; OR
3 replace the underground storage tank system with a new system
Since 1988, 6,553 leaks to soil or ground water from USTs have been confirmed in Ct:orgia; 718 of these were reported in 1995 and 767 in 1996. EPD expects the number of leaking sites reported each year to decrease significantly after the 1998 deadline for compliance with more stringenl design standards.

Some petroleum leaks represent little or no threat, and no further action will be required. For some sites a sampling/monitoring program is required to confirm that the petroleum is breaking down naturally. For others, cleanup to remove the contamination to appropriate soil and/or ground water cleanup levels is necessary. By the end of 1996, contamination from 3,(H)5 of Georgia's 6,553 confirmed leaks had been resolved. Monitoring and/or cleanup was required at 1,023 sitcs; 982 of those sites involved ground water contamination. The ~maining 3,548 sites arc under going cleanup or further evaluation to determine the extent of corrective action required.
Less than I percent of confirmed leaks in Ceorgia are known or suspected to impact drinking water supplies. Twenty-one publIC and 35 private drinking water supplies are contaminated with petroleum constituents. Three municipal systems have been impacted. Funds from the Georgia Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund were used to drill a replacement well for one of those systems. Another system mUSt treat its water to remove contamination in order to meet drinking water standards. The third system meets drinking water standards without additional treatment.
Cleanup of contamination (rom USTs can be expensive; COStS at Georgia sites have ranged from less than $10,000 to more than $1 million. Every UST owner is required to have insur;mCt: or other financial assur ance to ensure proper cleanup should leakage/contamination occur. Over 95% of tank owners in Ceorgia meet this reqllire1llenl by voluntarily participating in the Ceorgia Underground Slorage Tank Trust Fund. Each owner wishing to participate in the Trust Fund pays a fee of 0.5 cents per gallon of pelroleum product delivered to his tank and is eligible to receive reimbursements for cleanup costs from the fund, or usc it state cOntractor paid by the fund to clean up the site. SInce collections of fees began in 1988, $56 million have been commilted to clean up 351 leaking UST sites in Ceorgia .

......

In addition to major programs summarized in this report, other progrJms and activities of EPD, other organiZJtions and individuals have all aided in providing a healthier environment. Ceorgians can rightfully be proud of our efforts to conduct our lives wilhout harming our envIronment. Yet, much work remains to be done.
o Z 0 N F.
A complex solution is needed to auain the groundlevel ,ur quality ozone slandard in the 13 county metro Allania area. Because motor vehicles are a siglllficant source of compounds required for ozone formal ion, the solullon must focus on aUlOmobile emissions. The enhanced vehicle emissions inspecIron and mamlenance program begun in 1996 will produce significanl emIssions reduclion. But that is not enough. In1l1;ltlves to mcrease use of mass transit, car poolm8. telecommutlng, and conversion to clean fuels (instead of gasolme) will continue. Nalional efforts 10 dt.ovelop cleaner motor vehIcles, fuels and products wllh lower emIssIons (Iawnmowers, OUIboard motors and pamls) will also help. Finally, emissions from slatlonary sources will be reduced through bans on open burnmg of land-clearing debris and yard wasle and through emISSIon controls on large

industrial sOllrces, power plants and certain small businesses (such as paint shops and bakeries).

Resident Population of Georgia
12000

TIle ozone solution is compounded by a
ovember, 1996, proposal by the
U.s. Environmenlal

=== 10000 8000

Prolection Agency 10 lighten Ihe national

c

6000

ozone standard.

Depending on how the ozone standard is

4000

changed, other urban areas m GeorgIa besides Atlanla may need ozone control programs. Also. EPD is wonong WIth eastern

2000
o 1975 1985 1995 2000 2010 2020 2050

and midwestern states 10 develop regional

Yeor

solutIons to ozone problems. This initiative may resuh in emission controls throughoul Georgia.

struction sites and bacteria from alllYPes of land uS<". High levels of bacteria violJte waler qualilY standards

NONVOINT SOURCE WATER POLLUTION

eSlablished 10 protect streams for swimming and recreation purposes.

With only a few exceptions, point

The control of non point source water pollution will

sources of treated wastewater dis-

not be quick or easy. The first SICP has been ongoing

charges arc not causing water quality problems in our streams and lakes_

river basin studies to identify water qualilY problems. This will lead to the development of total maximum

However, nonpoint sources such as

daily loads of pollutants which can be released into a

stormwaler runoff from all land use

Slream during Jnd after storms. The most difficult

activities, mainly urban and industrial, steps will be to alter our land use, collect and treat

arc causing unacceptable water quality degradation,

SlormWJter nmoff, and change decades of forestry and agricultural prJcticcs in order 10 reduce the pollutants

from stormwatcr,

Many streams have been adversely

affected by non point source pollu-

INTERSTATE WATER

lion. Waler quality monitoring per-

MANACEMENT COMPACTS

formed by EPD and others, demonstrates thai pollutants such as metals, oils, litter, pesticides, bacteria, nutrients, and sediment are washed inlO Slreams by Slorms. Two pollutants of greal concern are sediment from con-
......

As Ceorgia's population grows, we will use more water for drinking, industry, famling and other purposes. The current study of water resources in the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, Flint (ACF), and Alabama, Coosa, Tallapoosa (ACT) River Basins will hopefully lead 10 interslate compacts with Georgia,

Florida and Alabama for water management, These compacts will allow not only for water allocation for current and future water uses, including agricuhure, but will also mandate wise water usc focusing on water conservation.
COASTAL CROUND WATER
Similarly, wise water use combined with long-term planning and financing are necessary to address the potential of saltwater encroachment in the upper Floridan aquifer which underlies Georgia's coastal counties. EPD will focus on developing these solutions over the next fe....' years. An interim strategy was proposed in 1996 and a long-term strategy Will be considered in 1997. Water conservation planmng and ground water level data gathenng will be important elements of the long-term strategy.

The graph on the facing page charts Ceorgia's population from 1975 through 2050. Our state has experienced tremendous growth over the past 20 years and will conlinue to grow. Protecting the environment while accommodating continued growth presents a challenge which demands the participation of all Georgians.
The Environmental Protcction Division encourages all GeorgIans to be awafC of our environ menial successes and shortcomings. EPD alro Ilwitcs all
Georgians to be active in the rolutlons
and to help Georgia achieve environmental sustainabilllY.

CLEANUP OF CONTAMINATED SITES
Cleanup of roil and ground water contaminated by leaking underground storage tanks, by unlined landfills, and by Il1dustrial chemical usage and disposal will continue to be a major priority. The truSt funds supported by fees for waste generation, petroleum distribution and environmental penalties will be of critical importance in completing the needed site cleanups. The highest priority is the cleanup of sites on the Hazardous Site Inventory.
SUSTAINA81LlTY
Our environmental problems are no longer the result of a small group of major uncontrolled sources. Instead our environmental pollution SO\lrCeS arc basically from us as individuals_ Our cars, our lawns, our streets, our litter, our garbage generation and our water usage comprise our pollution sources. The solu tions to our environlllcntal challenges will be successful only if implementcd by the citizens of Georgia. In fact. meeting state and federal standards for ozone and water quality will require a change in the behavior of most Georgians,

Interior Photographic images for Grorgia5 Enpjronmml ')7 courtesy of Roy Burkc 111 of Ihe Environmental Prott.'Ction Division.
Cover Photography Courtcsy of Georgia's Statc Parks 8< Historic Sites.

Every Georgian muSt increase his or her environmenlal awareness in order to be part of the rolutions to our unfinished business.

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT
0,
NATURAL RESOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION

A,,,.,,. 205 """R 5, .. " " Su,,, '1S2

G'OR." 30334

Several technical reports are
available which give detailed
information about topics covered in this report.
Water Quality in Georgia ("305 (b) Report")
Guidelines for Eating Fish from Georgia Waters
The Interim Strategy for Managing Salt Water Intrusion in the Upper Floridan Aquifer of Southeast Georgia
Air Pollution Measurements of the GA Air Quality Surveillan,e Network
Hazardous Site Inventory (HSI)
Department of Community Allairs Solid Waste Management Report
ToxilS Release Inventory Report
If you would like to order any of these publications, please contact the EPD Customer Assistance Program at 1-888-373-5947, or 404-657-5947 in Atlanta.
Visit our web site:
www.dnr.stote.go.us/e pd

, Please fill out this card and return it to us. Your input is important!

I. How would you rate "Georgia's Environment 97"?

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2. Was the information useful?

o DYes

No

3. Which portions of the report provided the most useful information?

4. What additions/changes do you recommend for next year's report?

5. Other comments.

You can call in your comments to our toll-free line: 1-888-373-5947

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Georgia Environmental Protection Division Customer Assistance Program 205 Butler Street, Suite [152 Atlanta, Georgia 30334