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

• 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.

• 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.

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