Georgia Water Coalition releases 2020 ‘Dirty Dozen’ report

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - The Georgia Water Coalition’s 2020 Dirty Dozen report, which highlights this year’s worst offenses to Georgia’s water, has been released.

The report is not a listing of Georgia’s “most polluted places.” Instead, the report notes the politics, policies and issues that threaten the health of Georgia’s water and the well-being of 10 million Georgians, according to the Georgia Water Coalition.

This year’s report includes the following:

Altamaha River: Will state permit finally fix pollution from Rayonier pulp mill in Jesup?
Chattahoochee River: Combined sewer overflows foul Columbus’s whitewater tourist destination.
Cumberland Island: Spaceport boondoggle gets worse with age, risks homes and barrier islands in Camden County

Savannah River lock and dam(WFXG, Jasmine Anderson)

Etowah River: Liquid waste causes landfills to collapse, pollute local streams and river in Forsyth and Cherokee counties.
Georgia’s groundwater: Coal ash pollutes well water in Juliette.
Georgia’s rivers and streams: Landfill leachate poses risks.
Georgia’s rural communities: Push to open Georgia to factory animal farm operations continues.
Little Lotts Creek: Taxpayer-funded stormwater project in Statesboro to support commercial development within floodplain compromises health of the creek.

The rain we’ve gotten has several rivers higher than usual and some neighbors concerned. On... — The rain we’ve gotten has several rivers higher than usual and some neighbors concerned. On the Altamaha River, it has people watching their river banks and upstream.(WTOC)

Ogeechee River: Pollution limits weakened at industry responsible for massive 2011 fish kill in Screven County.
Okefenokee Swamp: Federal rule change opens door to mine threatening one of Georgia’s natural wonders in Charlton County.
Satilla River: Proposed landfill risks contamination of well water, wetlands, and river in Brantley County.
St. Simons Sound: Golden Ray salvage plan could further foul coastal Georgia; damage assessment needed.

The text of the full report can be viewed HERE.