Georgia's environment, 98

EPD's MISSION
We help provide Georgia's citizens clean air, clean water, healthy livn and productive land by assUling compliance with environmenlallaws and by assisting others to do their pan for a better environmrnt.
EPD's VISION
an Water and air throughout Georgia arc: clran, land is productive,
all citizens and native species arc safe from envlronmen~1 harm.
Government, businesses and individuals faithfully exceed the requirements of environmenlallaws.
II All citiuns understand the environment and do tht=if part to improve it.
II As Georgia grows, its land, .it and water resources arc managed carefully
for sustained prosperity.
EPD's staff are motivated and empowered to use skill, common rose
and fairness to protect, ~talO and Ix stewards of Georgia's environment.
EI}D's workforce is StrakgiCillly located to maximize effectiveness and to involve communities in sustaining a high quality envlron~nt.
EPD Mips ~ that growth ts manased in ways that sustain air,
wakr and land rcsoun:~_

CTOR'S STATEMENT

Is the water safe to drink? Are the fish safe to cat] Is the air safe to breathe?
These are a few of the many questions the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) receives and strivC$ to a swer. The answers to these Iypei: of Questions are the indicators of t e quality of Georgia's
environment.
Gwrgia's El1l1iromllt'1l1 98 focuses on environmental indicators--quantitative measures which can be used to evaluate trends in environmental quality over time. We will use these indicators to evaluate the relative success of our regulatory programs, 10 identify priorities and to guide future programs.
We lUognize, however, that the quality of Ctorgia's environment is depc=mknt upon many factors outside the regu!atory functions of EPO.
btl" Our mission is to provide CItizens clean ai clean water, healthy
li~ ~nd productive land. EPD cannot do it all, but we af(: a key
participant. We ocablish environmental standards, we administer environmnnal regulatof)' progn.ms, and we monitor and repart on the quality of the environment
Assuring compliance with envIronmental laws is also part of our mission statement. Compliance leads to clean water, clean air, healthy lives and productive land. Assuring complj~nce takes many fonns, including
CONTE TS
ENYIRONMENTAL INDICATORS.
E YIRONMENTAl CLEANUPS
ASSURING COMPLIANCE
BEYOND REGULATION

pennit issuance, inspections, enforcement, eduCiltion and technical assistance. Gtorgias EnPimllrnml 98 provides data on these activities.
OUT mission statement also charges us with assisting others to do their part for a better environment. As Georgia grows in population, OUT
natural resources will be stressed and environmental protection can
no longer be solely the responsibility of government and regulated businesses. Education of Georgia citizens on environmental issues and on what each of us can do to protcct our environment is paramount. Also, ErO must become involved in helping assure that Georgia's growth is managed to sustain our air, water and land rcsourccs.
Please review the environmental indicatOrs in this report. They show Georgia's overall environment to be healthy, but also identify areas needing improvement. EPO's top three prioritics are: the improvement of tht air quality in metropolitan Atlanta; the improvement of tht water quality of streams impacted by nonpaint source pollution throughout Georgia; and meeting long tenn water needs in areas where high usc is threatening the available water resourco.
My hope is that these indicators will document continued environmental improvement in futuf(: years. I ask for your help in achieving this.
Harold F Rchcis
......... 2 8
...................... I 1 ... 12

ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS
AIR

l'U1IAIO!l.<;
Georgia has adopted national ambient air quality standards for six pollutants to protect public health and welfare. Those; pollutants are carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide. partiCulate matter. sulfur dioxide and ozone. A state-wide sampling network monitors the concentration of these pollutants. Monitoring trends are assessed for compliance with air quality standards.
The 13 county Atlanta metropolitan area has ~n declared a serious nonaHainment area for ground level ozone and includes Cherok, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayeue, Forsyth, Fulton, Cwinneu, 'Henry, Paulding, and Rockdale counties, To achieve attainment, the average number of days above the standard must be equal to or less than one for three consecutive years. The number of cxceedance days in the ozone nonattainmcnt area is an indicator of our progress toward ;chieving that goal.
Carbon Monoxide
SlondU~ '.0
9.0
7.sH"\\.+Jf-++-H4+-H--1
6.0 1--J---1--l--'~>-!----I---J--I--+-'
4.SUUJJ-LL't:t!-llJJ
3.0 L.l---'---'---LJ-.L---'---LL.l---'---'-' .5 16 1111 19 90 91 97 93 94 9S 96 91 Year

Lead

~"'1.S

loS

-.. 1.2

~

:ali 0.9 H--+-++++-+-H--+-++-l

e";,
E

0.6 ~rl-+-+-+-l-1--1---1--+-+-~

oo~ 0.3Ittttii7'rtt*ti:;1

" 0.0

U::E:~~U-.LU..:r:f:J
IS 86 11 aa 89 90 91 97 93 94 9S 96 91

Year

NI..rogen Dioxide
Slanilanb .050
O.OS
0.04 0.03 H-++-t---1-+++-H-++-1

0.01 UUJJ-l-UU:t:!=!

0.00 L.l---'---'---LJ-.L---'---LL.l---'--..LJ

'5 16 11 II 19 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 91

~--

Year

Sulfur Dioxide
0.14 s-b"'0.14
0.12
0.10
o.oaHH--+-+++++-+-H
0.06I-J.,oo\\.-+-+-+-+-+-+-+--I-1
0.04~ttit~~~j~~ 0.02~ 0.00 aa l-L-L-L-L-L-.L-.L-.L-.L--'..-
81 89 90 91 97 93 94 95 96 91
Year
R f <; II I I <;

Par"iculat'e M.a..... er -10
~d"SO
.-. SO
E40
." P--F'l"""/lo;'+-++-+--+-I-H
~
~e 30lil-ltf1.,~~tti
-o~
"
" 70 l--'---.L--'-----'----'----"----'-----'---.Jl-L...J 81 II 89 90 91 97 93 94 95 96 91
Year

II The overall quality of Georgia's air is good. In 1997, Georgia's air met national standards for concentrations of all pollutants except o~one. The graphs on this page chan annual averages since the mid 19805 for carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter and sulfur dioxide. Air quality is either stable or getting better for those pollutants.

II A growing population and increasing number of automobiles have kept Atlanta from mting the ambient air quality standard for ozone. Episodic violations of the ozone standard occur during the ozone season (May - September) in metro Atlanta. However, the concentration of ozone in the air is within the standard the vast majority of the time.

2-

Atlanta Metro Area Ozone

_0.12

0.20 0.11 0.16

II AI.

0.14

"""

0.12

0.10

i lll ,I '" I
II

Maximum Hourly Concentration
St...lonl for Gr........... _

0.08 0.06

A...... of Daly
M o . _ v. . .

0.04

0.02

0.00
~~U.3"~hUe""91n"M6%V

Year

3S

35

-_ 3.
~
;:;: 25
,!! 2.
j

--

---- 30

-/

25 ,
..,
20 ~



15

IS M

! 10

- " \ V

'..J

-; S

z

10

co-
0

oo

5
~

o

~81~~MM"VU""91nnH~%W

Year

1m The blue linc on the graph above plots the
maximum hourly concentration of ozone reported
for the 13 county metropolitan Atlanta area during [he ozone season (May.Scptcmbcr) since 1980.
The maximum hourly ozone concentration in
1997 was 0, 147 parts per million.
The green line plots the average of daily maximum values measured in the 13 county metropolitan Atlanta area during the ozone season. The average ozone concentration during 1997 was 0.06 parts per million.

m Population data from the US Bureau of the
Census for the metro Atlanta ozone nonattainment area is shown by the red line on the graph above (right). The blue line charts the number of days Atlanta air exceeded the ozone standard for each year beginning in 1980. A violation is recorded if the ozone level exceeds 0.12 parts per million for a one hour period.
The number of days with violations of the ozone standard has not increased proportionately with population growth, The standard was exceeded

16 times in 1990 when the population of the non-attainment area was 2.7 million, In 1997, the population had increased to 3 3 million and the standard was exceeded for 11 days.
Effective control measures have kept the ozone problem from getting worse. These programs include reductions in industrial emissions, cleaner cars being manufactured and sold, and an expanded vehicle emission inspection program.

Solving The Ozone Problem

Alarge part of the ground level ozone problem in metro AtIontll is mused by almost 2.8 million (ors and hghtlrlKks
that are being driven on overage of more than 100 million miles per day. The emissions frem these vehides and the high
number of doily m~es traveled an mor, than hoIf the
pollutants that form ozone in metro AtIonto. An expanded vehide emissions inspection program begon with the 1997
'0 'ag season find poiuling vehicles ond have !hem repaired.
0", ... milion vehicles wore 1elIed. Of 'hose, "' failed lheir ilitiaI test, and owners hDd to make repairs and retest. On~ 27110 . -<GUId IlOl be repaired lor 5200 or less.
The yehide emissions inspedion program is an important part of a long-range pion 10 meet the a.mnt S1lInlIord for ground Ieyel ozone. The EPD submitted the finol pion to U.S. EPA in

April, 1998.11 includes a mix of new (ontrals aimed at redlKing the amount of nitrogen oxides released into the air:

cleaner burning gosoIi~th redU(ed (an(enlrotions
of sulfur-will be distributed in 25 counties in and around the Adanta region in the summer months, beginning in 1999

emission reductions from power plants and other krge
industrial (ombuslion sources

new "mm_Is by !he _ denner ... by 2001

indumy to produ<.

new federal Nes requiring deoner diesel engines

VoIuntory Ozone Action Program - promotes voluntary actions by employers and employees to oher work schedules, driYing paIJerns and limes, and to postpone operational ond mointeool1(e activities (pointing, dooning, lawn mainlenance)

Nol all of these (ontrol measures can be put into pla<e in time to meet the November 1999 federal deadline to attain the ozone standard. The pion should result in otIainmenl of the rorrent 5IGndord slarting some time between the years of 2003 and 2005. In the meantime, restrictions will be imposed on how we spend federal highway dollars in metro Adanta.
Amore stringent standord (0.08 ppm averaged over an
oighl hour period) hav reemlly been eslubli5hed by EPA, with 0 2010 deodIine 10 otloin rile srondonI. As a growing population drives even more miles, emissillllS of ozone forming (ompounds will ilKreost. We win nol be able fa otIain a more stringent stondonl by relying on lKhnoIogy. Changes in developmenl potlents and dlizens' driving hobits will be required.

3

GROUND WATER

l'UI(,\IOI{"
Water users in 24 counties in southeast Georgia get most of their water from the Upper Aoridan Aquifer. Over time, extensive use has reduced water p~surc in the aquifer. As a result, salt water contamination threatens ground water supplies for southeast Georgia, portions of north cast Florida and southeast South Carolina. Beginning in the 1960's, chloride concentrations have been monitored in water from one well in Brunswick and two wells on Tybee Island, Georgia, The concentration of chloride in water from those wells indicates whether the problem is getting worse, has stabilized, or is improving.
In southwest Georgia, ground water pumpage has caused water levels in the Clayton and Claiborne aquifers to decline significantly. Longtenn measurement of ground water levels in the Clayton and Claiborne aquifers will show when the decline has been halted, or has begun to improve.
R I ... U I 1 ...
The Tybee wells serve as an -early warning system- for Chatham County's water supply. Chloride levels have remained about the same (599-625 mgll) in the Tybee Island well that laps the rarely used and somewhat mineralized Lower Floridan Aquifer. The other Tybee Island well taps the heavily used Upper Floridan Aquifer. Chloride levels in that well show very little change in concentrations over time (3842 mgll). These data indicate that salt water has not yet rcached Chatham County.

Ground-Water Depletion

oDough"ly (ounly. Cloyton Aquif"

GrOlllld le,eI

3D

60

90

120

ISO
19sa 1962 1961 1912 1911 1982 1911 1992 1991

The graph shown here depicts
waler bels measured in fttt
below ground surface for a well drilled inlO the Gayton Aquifer in Dougherty County. The most significant drop occumd after 1977 with the advent of agricultural irrigation in southwest Georgia. The water level has been relatively stabilized since 1981. Restrictions were imposed by EPD on ground water withdrawals from the Clayton Aquifer in the early 90's to prevent further decline.

Salt-Water Intrusion
Upper FloJidan AquifeJ. Glynn County, Georgia

This graph, which shows chloride concentrations measured in a Brunswick monitoring well, reflects the salt water intrusion problem that occurs there. Concentrations measured in 1997 (812 mgll) are four times as great as the concentrations measured in 1966.

Georgia's Well Head Protection Program

Land use activitics can have profound effecls on ground water quality and drinking water Well head protection is a jOint program of EPD and
local governments started In 1992 to prevent pollution of underground drinking water supplies by planning and controlling land uSC' aClivities near waler supply wells.

'Pfl'" EPD is dew-IopillB well head protection plans foc ~ well or

USI:d as a !iOUl"CC for a community public wakr supply. A well M-ad

protccboft plan includes i1n Inventory of pott'IItial poIlubon ~ 1ft the designated well head protection area, a ~ plan for those

_

r... ..... "".....1<)1 ..... poovtdina an Ii....- _1lIpIlIy II the wdl bcalonco inoperable

4

PROTECTING THE UPPER FLORIDAN AQUIfER
,ff""Protection of the Upper Aoridon Aquifer requires cooperative be_ EPO,' ho<t ol ...ehoIden end _ "'" from the 24 counties in southemI Georgia, ond the stale of South Car.....
Wo1er supply pIonning, conservation and reolkKotion of ground WlJIer ore needed 10 stop the salt wuler intrusion. Georgia's role is outineclln on interim strategy finohed in Apfa, 1997. The pion esIobiishes guidelines for grourMI water withdrlrWlll and use in southeastern Georgia through Del:ember 31, 2005, when a final ~Dn will be in ploce. Signimonl progress has been mlKle:

No new wilhdrowols ore being permitted in all of Chatham and Glynn counties, and parts of Effingham ond Bryon counties without QSSO(ioled ,eductions in wnler usage elsewhere wilhin the
county. Some existing municipal ami industrial ground water
withdruwul permits hove been modified to 100ft dosely retied o<tuoI ,eporIoi ""Il'. These modili<otioos ,OIUitoi pemIit redtxfiollS totaling 26.9 mgd in the four coonly oreo.
In fhe other 20 counties, permits for new and increased withdnrwuk for munq.o!, industrial ond agrirohurol uses will be limilollo 36 mgd.
Reductions in permmed wilhdrQ'WOk by indllStry (fealed 0 WIlIer resource (0.5 mgdllo be established in Ololhllm (ounty 10 be used by existing smaller drinking waler systems.

New water wittldrowol permits are not being issued fO(
golf-<ourse irrigation Of non-<ontacl (ooling nter from the
Upper FIOfidon Aquifer where ahernate soor(es of water exist
&Kh (ounty in the 24 (oun!y area musf develop a(omprehen.., '""~ SlIpII/y pion. [PO wlI '" ... new I"f11U" for orithd<owaI from tire UflIlO' Aoridcm Aq,;f~ oh~ December 31, 2000 to opptm,ts i1 any (oun!y that does not have on approved pion.
The S"', of Georgia FY 99 OOdget ind..des SI mil... for odditionoI data gathering. 1.0<01 industries have lmmined to
(OIllnOOle a signili<onl omount os wen. Dato gottlering is uilicol
lor lhe development of a nnal strategy based OIl sound saence.

DRINKING "WATER

l ' l l l ! \101/. ...
The percentage of customers receiving water from public water systems in compliance wi til established standards is an indicator of whether or not the water is safe to drink. 6.2 million Georgians are served by 2,628 public drinking water systems. Private wells provide water to everyone else.
R I ... UtI ...
The qualil)' of water provided by public drinking water systems in Georgia is very good. From October 1, 1996 through September 30,1997,
II 91.6% of persons on public drinking water received water in compliance with standards for lead and copper. A total of 89 systems serving 513,738 customers exceeded the lead and/or copper action levels. Five of those systems serving 433,683 persons are now in compliance. The other systems must install corrosion treatment.
&I More than 99.9% of persons on public
drinking water received water in compliance with standards for nitrates. Only one public water system which serves a population of 107 excded the nitrate standard. The system is now in compliance.
II More than 99.9% of persons on public drinking water received water in compliance with standards for volatile organic compounds.

Only one water system serving 90 customers reported a violation for volatile organic compounds. That system is no longer operating; the customers are served by another public drinking water supply.

II 97% of persons on public drinking water received water in compliance with standards for fal coliform bacteria.

liter stott Water NtgotiatlolS

During their 1997 - . . "1egisIaom 01 Georgia, AIoboma, and Aorido orIopted tire finI_ lOnlprx1l1or """- 01 _ . tire Southeastern Unilld S_. (ong,,,, wbsequen1Iy 'otilied tire ~, end ~osidort Ointon signed them inla low in November, 1991.
These Compacts ore crucial bemuse Itley represenl who! is ttlaught to be the best way 10 settle disputes that slorted in the late 1980'saver ttle interslo1e waters of the ApoJo(hicDla
Chollohoo<het-RintIACf) and Alobomo-CoosoToliopoosa IAa) systems. Four of the river systems have their origins
in Geo<gia end flow into orIjOning AIoba", " fIorido. ThN rivet basins _e up 38" of Georgia's lotollond oreo, provide drinting water to 0Il' 60% of Georgia's populolion, and supply wotet for lIlDre than 35" of Georgia's irrigated ogriwIIun. Signifi<ant porIian5 01 Georgia', _ I production and rlUllIIioft.based IalllOlllY ore dtpendenl on the water i1 these basiIs. The fish cnI wiIlIife resources !hot rIeperoI on """ - . ... oIso mol ~ Georgia.
The Compods set up a Commission made up of the Goverl'lOf of each stale ond 0 f~of (om~ oppointed by the Presiden!. By De<ember 31, 199B, Ihe ((lfTlmissions

musl negotioIe 1....... 10 _

tire quan1iIy 01_

that .,1 be oIocotod ~ IOlh _. II tire _ irmIInlt il

oparticulor (ompod fail It:t a,ee on III . . . . formula,

thol (ompad o..Iv.. 01 tire end 011998. _ , tire

Governors are opIinistic they (an obtain a long term solution

without the ne<essiIy of furning rile de<ision over to !he

federal courts.

Georgio win opprOlKh Ihe negotiations with the following
gools:

II sufficient wuler to solisfy our projeded municipal, industriol, and ogri<uburol WIIter needs olleost to 2050.

II sufOOenf waler leh 10 moinlcm hdhy
water e<asyslems.

1. II otlre, ..I~ needs {,,,,..nc.naI, hydioeledTi< powet, ond novigoIionl wlI be ... rt..uodiIg order of wolet's e<onomK and qua5ty of 5fe voIoe for those needs.

5

SURFACE WATER

)'111( .. TOR"
The: quality of Georgia's surface waters is evaluated based on whether or not they m~t water quality standards. These standards are established to protCCt designated water uses, fishing, recreation, drinking water, wild river, scenic river, or coastal (ishing. Rivers, lakes, streams and estuaries are monitored to assess compliance with standards. Monitoring is conducted statewide: on 37 trend monitoring sites
e:ach year. EPO also condUCts focused monitoring
on selected river basins;.

The Department of Natural Resoun:es (DNR) tcsts fish for many chemicals and evaluates the information to determine whether fish can be safely consumed. Consumption guidance based on recommended meals per week or month is published annually in nCeorgia's Freshwater & Saltwater Sport Fishing Regulations" and in "Guidelines for Eating Fish from Georgia's Waters",

Dissolvw oxygen in streams and lakes is necessary to support t~ fish community and ot~r aquatic rife DlssoNro oxygen water quality mndards have been establishro ranging from 4.0 to 6.0 mgll de~mk:nt upon the stream classification and type of measurement. EPD ~aluates the data from 37 trend monitoring sites throughout the state. The percentage of samples which show violations of the dissolved oxygen standard is onc indicator of waler quality. Dissolved oxygen in streams is also significantly related to stream now and temperature.

II Monitoring efforts in 1997 were focused in
the Savannah and Ocmulgcc River Basins, This data will be used in the Ocmulgee River Basin Planning process for thosc basins. Statewide in 1996-1997, thirty-nine percent of rivers and streams assessed met water quality standards,
The percentage of lakes partially meeting or not m~ting water quality standards increased significantly in 1996-1997, This increaS(" resulted from changes in assessment methods, not changes in lake quality. The new methods consider guidelines on fish consumption. This change moved many lake:s and reservoirs from the "meeting to the npartially meeting" category.

(TMDLs) for streams that do not meet water quality standards. Thc total amount of pollution from point and non point sourct:s is determined for a particular stream, and the reductions necessary to meet water quality standards arc identified. Georgia must develop TMDLs for about 500 segments over the next 7 years. In 1997, 128 TMDLs were developed. The remaining segments will be developed during the river basin planning cycles.

The percentage of Georgia estuaries meeting water quality standards was the same as in 1994-1995--just over 50%.
In 85% of streams and 99% of lakes found to need improvement, nonpoint sources of pollution are the cause of the problem. Nonpoint sources include runoff from our streets, agricultural practices and land disturbing activities, One way Georgia, as well as over 30 other states, is dealing with non point sources of pollution is by developing Total Maximum Daily Loads

Rivers And Streams SO 8,573 of 70,150 Miles ASSMSed

40

30

20

10

o

,. 01 miles MSmIId
meeting walel" Qdty wndonk

"olmiles~
portioly meeting watel" qwlity londords

..'"""'"'" ,. 01 miles assessed
IIIIt meeting waler

6

lakes And Reservoirs 70 ,c",~,.~'~95;,;;'f~'~OO;;:;.'~'~7~A;"O~::"""'"
60f------

50e-----

40e-----
30f-~--20e-~---

10
o "ofllOl'I.........d pIIfIioIy meem, wglilf qualify uondotds
Estuaries
60 85501 855 Square Miles A~~essed

,. of 110115 messed
IlOl ","l'ingwglilf
quality ,tand"nk

50
40
30
20
10
o "01 <quor. mil one.,oo meeling _I", quollty .Iondo...k

"01 <quore mile. o....n.d noT meeling
_I", quollty .Iondord.

Over the past to ~ars. state

Violotlons Of Dissolved

of those chemicals in fish are slowly decreasing.

wateR coMistently met the

Oxygen Stondord

More restrictions are now due to mercury

diuotved oxygen standard. In
Fact, no vioiatioM occurred at the

At Trend Monitoring Sites

contamination.

trend monitorins sites in 1996.

6

Is there more mercury in Georgia's fish? No

-"'so: This is a result of efforts of local
governments and industry to upgra~ and im~ wastewater treatment systems. The standards
which are typically violated are

c
.S!
=~.0i
0<

backria and metals as a result of
nonpoinl source pollution.

eEg' 0;:
"~ :>
"- c~

5 4
3 2

B Three contaminants (PCBs,

:;":

chlordane and mercury) wefe

dear patkm of increases in mercury in fish has

bt:en nOl'e4,. Mercury is a natura1\y OCCUlTing e1e-

mt:nl', and has likely always been present in fish in

low concentrations. As a matter of fact, when

today's data is compared to data collected from as

A

V f' A

, far bac as 1971, it appears thallhe amount of ia mercury in most fish in Georgia is abou the same. So, why are there more restrictions because of

mercury now than in the past? The standard for

detected in significant amounts ill a few species from some bodies of

o

mercury that DNR uSt:S to dt:ve1op its guidance for

86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 fish consumption was lowered thret: fold in 1995.

water. One lake (Hartwell) and

DNR uses a very conservative approach, as recom-

five river segments (in the Coosa, Etowah, Turtle,

rivt:r or stream segments Fish from an additional

mt:ndt:d by US EPA, to ensure protection for all

Buffalo and South Brunswick Rivers) have PCB

eight lakes and 23 river or stream segments were

pt:oplt:. This change resulted in new guidance for

contamination and some fish from those segments

tt:sted and have no restrictions.

fish consumption in some areas of the state, even

should not be consumed at alL Guidance recom

though the amount of mercury in fish did not

mending reduced consumption levels (meals/month In the early [990's, PCBs and chlordane caused

increase.

or meals/week) has been issued for 24 lakes and 51 most of the rt:striCl'ions in Georgia Concentrations

CHATTAHOOCHEE AND FLINT RIVER BASINS

The Environmental Protection Division is preparing river basin management plans for each of the fourtet:n river basins in Georgia. These plans consist of a comprehensive study of tht: water quantity and quality of the basins couplt:d with strategics to correct identifit:d problems. EPO complt:ted tht: plans for the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivt:r Basins in 1997.
The United Statt:s Geologic Survey (USGS) has sdectt:d river basins throughout tht: Unitt:d States for intensive water quality monitoring. This program, entitlt:d, "The National Water Quality Asst:ssment Program," includes the Chattahoochee and Flint River basins. USGS published a summary report in 1998 on tht:se basins based on data collected during 1992 and 1995.
The EPO basin plans and the USGS report highlight some kt:y environmental indicators of water quality in the Chattahoochee and Flint River basins:

~ The most influential factor in water quality is land use. Stomlwater runoff from various land uses transports pollutants to the streams,
B Some urban streams, t:specially in the Atlanta
and Columbus areas, have elevated pesticide concentrations unhealthy for aquatic life. However, in general, stream pesticide concentrations throughout the basins were at levels safe for human exposure,
B The largest concentrations of inorganic
compounds were in urban and suburban streams.
B Nutrients concentrations were lowt:st in
streams draining from croplands and forests and in the Chattahoochee River upstream of Atlanta.

B Nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) which
arc indicative of poor water quality were highest in stream tributaries during storm events. The land uses having the highest nutrient impacts were urban, suburban, and poultry production, The main stem of the Chattahoochee River downstream from Atlanta had elevated nlltrient concentrations following storm events.
m [n the Piedmont Region of the two river
basins, fish thrived best in streams draining forested land; the Fish communities in urban streams were severely degraded.
m The solutions to the wakr quality problt:ms
require local actions to correct the land usc sources. The majority of these sources arc not within EPO's regulatory authority.

7

ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUPS

Improper storage and/or disposal of solid waste, hazardous waSle, and petroleum pnxlucls can fesuh in contamination of our soils, streams and wells. Most contaminated sites in Georgia occurred before we knew common practices posed environmental threats, before the development of technology to avoid contamination and before reg ulations were passed to protect the environment. EPD identifies these sites and dct~mlincs the extent of cleanup rc;:quired to restore productive land. When the party responsible for the contam ination is unable or unwilling to clean up the site,
funds from one of thrtt trust Funm may be usei:t.

Tr IS t h n d S..... ar y_

The _ _ IMI hold is - " " br "" .. dd
and hallrdous _ , foes '" ...... of hallrdous ...
S1anUS, lMdlines coIeded under various slatllIh'.Ol...... lows. 1m 1992, ~1.8 miIon hom "" _ _
IIIISI Fund has been used" mestigale and/or deOI up 91 hazardous siIes.

The laIid _ Irvst hold is - " " br lines caIooed

c.... under Georgia's

15iwe Sold Waste

' Ad

and a 11.110 ........ foe caIooed '" Iho

of

..<i".... said iI Georgia. lher 130

"'"

en idoalifioI i11"7,,,, Iho of legal ..

"".437. laIid _ IMI """ "'" _ used.
'*- up 141 lire liIes, ..- . , ... I"" lire<

The U

\loIage W IMI hold is used " reim-

burse lank """" for dea"", ,"" lOUltd br leaking tanb.

Elgible own", make ,oIunloly payments of 0.1 _ per

have_ gaIon of petroleum produd doIverod "".... 1m
_ of "" began io 1981, I 14 ....
...ined '*- up 1117 leaking lIST siIes iI Goargia.

HAZARDOUS WASTE SITES

There arc 395 sites on the Hazardous Sitt.'S Inventory, and the list is growing, 64 sites were added in 1997. This does not mean new sites are being contaminated; it means sites that were contaminated in the past have been discovered and added to the inventory. A site is removed when investigation indicates cleanup is not required or when cleanup is complete. Ten sites were removed in 1997.

Georgia's Hazardous Sites Inventory

Sites Added

1997

o
Sites Removed
6

or At the close 1997, cleanup was underway at 71% of.the 395 sites
on the inventory. Approximately 244 sites (including 125 owned
by local governments) will have to be investigated and cleaned up using the Hazardous Waste Trust Fund; the others will be deaned up by some OIher party under EPD's dirC'Ction.

Cleanup of Sites On The

Hazardous Sites Inventory

400

310
.~ 300
-Vi lS0
-0 ....~ 200

-"".

-"".

E
z"

ISO

100

SO

0

1996

1997

(1e1iUp Underwuy at H.ndon Homes ( . . . . . lty in Atlanta
,-...... _- 1ocnI_"'"-... _. ,17'''''' ........lte.sls.u 'lyof lIoe ~ ... _ _ fodIIfIs IMI.

WI laws

1993 assodlttll witta r_YaIIoa

.....~ -

AtIIoarity .........

............. ,..,

n.III.IIItJ ...

..

7I

,IIa__ dIHIicaIs. n.

........... ' ilia. Is "..1930 waste ",saI

.,.11 ...... _-...1

- . _ ......... btftrt

EPD, lilt .......... AItWfty, . . co. 4UJil,
..-...w......,..........dtvtIop. sit.
T-_t_._ _... ................(011 ' Ittd ..... _-,,74_

.... 41 .Iy ~ tr. cncrs of the .....

.............................._.. ....II II, wIidtw...' 'Idell.
Ws......, ............. COlthllllllltld

....w. Two".......................

If"'''e'' (III ,....... 2,000 ttIs

MIOved

WIt" II.

$IJS ....... rill"" pImes

sdI...... II. u","114 111998. AI aMtiHaI

1,000 I. . " ' " ............. <01, of $3.2_

..., " - ... Itu WIS" Tn.1 fttd II
.......... pay'" 55 ~ <011

SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL SITES

Lincrs have been required for new municipal solid waste disposal facilities in Ceorgia since 1992. In 1997,74 percent of the stale's municipal solid waste was disposed in lined landfills.

Ground Water Contamination at Municipal Solid Waste Landfills

~ 100

Total Sites with

1".-..3"!..

30f---~------.f---1

Ground Wat.r
c...._

...-.~ 60 f------------J'-------1
3: 40 r------~'-------__j

.-;; Do
'

20 1 --=:;;;;;;;;#'---------1

~ oL_-!"_...~~=~~~~~~~~ CToletaalnuSpiteUsnwdeitrhway

94

95

96

97

Year End

Methane Migration at Munidpal Solid Waste Landfills
100,--------------,

For decades before liners made disposal safer, millions of tons of solid waste were buried ;n unlined facilities. As more landfills
conduct environmental
monitoring programs. an increasing number of older unlined facilities are being identified with contamination problems.
206 municipal solid waste landfills monitor for ground water contamination and
methane migration. In
1997,91 of those sites reponed violations of established standards for ground water. Most of those sites are now closed or scheduled to close in the ncar future .
Before cleanup can begin, the extent of contamination must be defined and the best mcthod of cleanup selected. This can take two years or more, Cleanup is also a lengthy process, which is why none have been completed yet.

30 f-----------~-CJ'i-__j Total Sites with 78 municipal solid waste
Methane Migration landfills reported methane
migration in 1997,

60 f-----------,.,'-------__j Total Sites with
Methane Venting Installed
40 1----T"'~-------1
o'----'9L4----'95---9L 6---9L7---l
Year End

Actions to limit methane migration are underway at 54 (69%) of contaminated sites. The extent of methane migration can usually be assessed more quickly than (or ground water contamination. Corrective action often involves the installation of a vcnt system.

9

UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS

Status af Leaking

By December 22, 1998, all underground storage (UST) tanks must meet specIfic construction standards, or be dosed. 41 % of operational tanks in

Underground Storage Tank Sites

Georgia were in compliance with design standards al the end of 1997.

4000

3500

-..'-.". 3000
='" 2500

......-..-..

2000 1500

1000

.,
"" ./ . /V
.- ~V"

T tal Sit With Since 1988, 6017 leaks from underground storage tanks have ~n R:poned
~ ~.t. in Georgia. 817 of these wen: reported in 1997. Most of th~ were from
older tanks that wen: installed before the new design standards were
established. The number of leaking tanks repol1ed annually is expected to dccrca~ significantly aher the 1998 deadlin(' for compliance with more stringent design standards_

Total Sites witt!
a.-,(..,~t

During 1997, cleanup was completed at 573 leak..ing UST sites. Since 1988, 2,294 sites have been completed, and 39% of all leaking UST sites in Cwrgia have ~n cleaned up.

At the end of 1997, cleanup was in progress but incomplete at 3,664 leaking
UST sites.

500 1994

1995

1996

1997

-------------------------------------
ULATED COMMUNITY IN GEORGIA

1238 Municipal and Industrial Waler Pollulian (onlral Plan~ (1040 with disthorges; 198 land applicalion systems)
2628 Public Woter 5ystems with Permi~
2814 Industries with Air Quolify Permits
1700 Gasoline Service Stations Requiring Vapor Recovery
45\ Solid Waste lJIocIlilis wilh Permits
13 IlaDldous Woste Treatment .. SIaroge Permits'
S4I IJIIB QulIIlIy lienenIIIn 01
IIazIrdous . . . .
395 SiIoi en .... ltIIerdeus SiIoi . . - ,

4251 5mall Quantify Generalo" of Hazardous Woste
18588 Underground 5torage lank Locations
286 GIles and Industries with 5urlace Water Withdrawal Permi~
434 Ground Water Withdrawal Permi~
18271 Farms with Irrigation Water Permits (7588 ground/I 0683 surlace)
241 (otegory lOoms with Permi~ 566 5urlace Mining Permi~
216 ~ fer Use 01 Radiaadive Moteriols 4158 Saap Tn Fdties

305 Ucensed Asbestos or Lead-based Paint Removal Contractors
251 Ucensed Well Drillers
477 Erosion and Sedimentation Control Permits by EPD
375 Local Governmen~ w~h &osian (antrol Programs delegated by EPO
2933 Industries (overed by General5tormwater Permit
58 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer 5ystem Permi~
2.8 (0" ond Ught Trucks Requiring Millioo Vebid8 Emission Tes~ in Metro Atlonto

ASSURING
COlV1PLIANCE

EPD is responsible for enforcing twenty state laws
enacted over the past thirtyfour years to protect
Georgia's environmental n:so\Irtts. In addition, the responsibility for environmental programs uncler
four federal laws is delegated to EPD.
The regulated community affected by these laws is extmnely diverse, ranging from individual car owners to large corporations to most local
governments.
EPD directly l't'gulates over 60,000 facilities by
pennit, role and license. There are 30,480 facilities regulated by pennit, 29,620 regulated by rule and 772 regulated by license. [n addition, there are 2,800,000 vehicles in metropolitan Atlanta regulated by emission testing and inspection_
Permits contain limits (I) on the amount of pollutants that can be rdl:asl:d into the environment; (2) on the amount of water to be removed from the environment; (3) on tht: contaminants allowed in drinking water, and (4) on the operation and procedures which must be followed. Rules contain similar provisions but generally focus on procedures for safe operation of facilities. For example, rules cover the operation of 18,588 underground storage tanks and 4799 hazardous waste generators. The pl:nnits and rules contain limits and requirements eSSl:ntial for environmental protection.

EPD issued 591 enforcement orders and collected $9,971,522 in penalties. Enforcement orders also contain requirements which must be perfonned by the violator to return to compliance.
The compliance rate of the pennitted regulated community in Georgia was over 90% in 1997. In December, 1997, EPD identified the
Chattahoochee and Coosa River Basins, as well as
the greater metropolitan Atlanta area, as areas where stresses from inadequately treated discharges were causing adverse impacts on water quality. Local govl:Tllments in those areas were notified
action would bl: takl:n on iill permit violations.
ABOUT PENALTIES. EPD cannot impose a penalty against a violator unless the violator agrees voluntarily to pay the pl:nalty. If this docs not happen, EPD can refer the case to the AttoTlll:Y General and ask for a civil penalty hearing by a Georgia Administrative Law Judge. Most penaltics are col lected by the issuance of consent orders in which the violator agrees to pay the pl:nalty. Since 1991, EPD has issued over 3300 orders containing penalties exceeding $40,000,000. The penalties arc deposited in the State Treasury and, for thl: most part, are appropriated by the legislature to the Hazardous Waste Trust Fund to clean up hazardous sites in Georgia.

Maintenance of valid permits is absolutely necessary for assuring compliance and for enforcement of environml:ntal statutes. In 1997, EPD issued, reissul:d or modified about 1600 permits, most of which were reissuance of expiring permits.
EPD uses various mt:ehanisms to assure compliance and to respond to noncompliance. These include inspl:ctions, rl:view of self monitoring data, written violation notices, orders, monetary settlements (penaltil:s) collection and referrals to the Auorney General for penalty imposition hearings. In 1997,

FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS:
!Ii (lean Air Act !Ii Resource (onservalion and Recovery Act IRCRA)
lolid Waste Hozordous Wasle Underground \Iorage Too
II! Sole DrinIlIng WaIer Ad 1II Clean Water Ad


STATE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS:
II! Air Quolity Act II! A,bestas Inlety Act Ii Motor Vehicle Inspection and Mointenance Act
m Hazardous Waste Management Act
iii Hazardous Site Response Act Underground Iloroge Tonk Acl
Ii Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Act l!! Woler Quolity Control Act
(including lurloce Wnler Allocation)
m River Basin Management Planning Act
iii Erosion and Sedimentation Act !Ii lurloce Mining Act l!! lole Dom, Act II! lole Drinking Waler Act
m Groundwater Use Act
II! Oil ond Gos ond Deep Drilling Acl l!! Rodiolion Conlrol Act III Oil or Hazordous Moteriol, Ipill, or Release, Acl II Georgia En,ironmentol Policy Act
II! Lead Poisoning Premion Act
1I! Water Wen 110"",,'''' Ad

11

BEYOND REGULATION

Pollution prevention programs are already in place at many industries (Q improve cfficicnc:;y and prevent releases to the environment. Georgia industry has voluntarily reduced emissions of toxic chemicals by more than 50 percent since reporting began in 1988. Local governments are offering recycling options to keep waste out of landfills. These are all exam lcs of volul1lary efforts by Georgians to protect the environment.
Two of the toughest environmental threats facing us arc ground level Q%one and nonpomt source pollution. Through voluntary initiatives, leaders and citizens from the private and public stors are targeting those problems.
VOLUNTARY OZONE AcnON PROGRAM. People in the Atlanta an:a drive 3S miles per person per day every day of the year. That's more than residents of any other major metropolitan area in the country!
In 1997, EPD launched the Voluntary Ozone Action Program (VOAP) to get people to drive less and take other steps to duce ozone forming pollut,mts. Each day between May 1 and September 30, EPD monitors air quality and weather conditions and make forecasts of ozone levels. If it is likely the ozone standard will be exceeded, notices arc sent via fax and e-mail to all "VOAP PannersR_.employers il:l the metro Atlanta 13 county region who have worked with EI>D to create a plan for ~Ozone ACliOl' DaysR. The VOAP Partner then implements that plan
Employers can significantly help reduce ozone levels because they can affect how their employees commute. They can allow nexiblc work schedules, teleworking and encourage carpooling and usc of mass transit. They can delay the use of lawn maintenance equipment until after the Ozone Action Day. They can refuelthcir neet vehicles after dark or avoid using paint and solvent containing cleaners.

Federal agencies, representing some 44,000 employees, and many private compames have volunteered to become VOAP Partners In December, 1997, Governor Zell Miller endorsed the VOAI' by signing an Executive Order requiring all state agencies, departments and state universities in the 13 county nonattainment area to participate. State agencies must reduce the number of single occupancy vehicle trips made by state employees by 20% on ozone action days duro ing 1998 and for the entire ozone season in 1999.
The net effect of the VOAP is expected to be simIlar to what happened in the Atlanta region during the OlympIC Games of 1996. Even though 3 mIllion extra people were III the region, traffic and air QualIty were much better than usual There were no ozone exceedances during the Olympic period despite the fact that climate conditions were favorable for ozone formation and buildup.
For more infomlation on the VOAP, or to sign up for e-mail notification of Ozone Action Days, visit www.voap.org.
We must go beyond
regulation to meet the
challenges of clean air,
cleaH water, healthy lives
and productive land.

RIVER CLEANUP. In October of each year, volunteers throughout ~orgia remove debris along streams in theIr community. Durmg the 1997 River Clean Up Week, 1,911 volunteers worked 4,393 hours and collected 1,962 bags of trash. The event covered 8 rivers, 4 lakes, 10 creeks, 1 canal and 1 pond. Thirty-nine local organizers planned and coordinatcd this event on the local level.
ADOPT-A-STREAM. The Adopt-a-Stream Program focuses on what mdividuals and communities can do to protect Georgia's water resources from nonpoll1t sources of pollution More than S,lX)() volunteers participate in 170 individual and commumty AdoptA-Stream programs. Volunteers conduct cleanups, stabilize streambanks, monItor streams using biological and chemical methods, and evaluate habitats and watersheds. These actiVIties lead to a greater awareness of water Quality and non point source pollution, active cooperation between the public and local governments, and the collection of basic water Quality data. For more infonnation about the Adopt-A-Stream program, call1-888-373-S947.
Assuring compliance with environmental regula. tions has greatly improved Georgia's environment. However, we must go beyond regulation 10 meet the challenges of clean air, clean water, healthy lives and productive land
Local governments and planning commissions, with EPD assistance, must continue to adopt land use practices to manage growth Industry mllSt contll1uously review their proc~ses to consume I~s energy, produce less waste and release fewer pollutants into our environment Citizens must drive less, practice water conservation and recycle whenever possible. The regulated community will have to exceed the requirementS of our environmental laW'> and citizens will have to become actively involved to sustain a hIgh quality environment.

"Nothing short of defending this country in wartime compares in importance with the great central task of leaving this land even better a land
for our descendants than it is for us."
-Theodore Roosevelt

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT 0' NATURAl RESOURCES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION
20S BUllE. Sum SE SUITE 1152 ArLAllu, GEOl61A 30334
18883735947 IN AllAN" 4046575947
www.sfafe.ga . U 5 / dnr I en viro n