Hall of Shame: Academy Creek Water Pollution Control Plant: Brunswick

History of Academy Creek Reports

The Atlamaha Riverkeeper reported this site to the EPD on
July 7, 2005.  Paper, scum and what appeared to be a condom were collecting  around the pipe and trees. Thanks to the EPD for taking action on this problem.

Academy Creek Treatment Plant Pollutes Estuary

Report from complaint against the Academy
Creek Sewage treatment plant on 7-6-05 >>>

Another Shameful Day at Academy Creek Sewage Treatment Plant (10/23/05) >>>

James Holland's complaint letter

Good Morning Mr. Harris,

On Wednesday of this week I had the opportunity to visit the Academy Creek WPCP effluent discharge site. On this visit I did not observe the usual plastic and such floating on the surface of the effluent stream. However, there did appear to be a lot of tiny pieces of paper and other materials beneath the surface of the stream.

On Saturday (2-24-07) I had cause to be back in that area around noon of that day and I observed floating plastic, paper and such. I also observed a whole condom (see photo) hanging in the marsh grass and what appeared to be pieces of condoms in the grass and on top of the water. At this time the water was incoming high so I decided to make a return trip to this site on the falling tide of this same day.

I arrived back at the effluent pipe area between 1645 and 1715 hours with the tide falling out. I must say that this stream was one disgusting site to have to observe by anyone. The western side of the stream had a lot of scum on the water and in the marsh. I also observed a kotex (see photo) in the area of the scum and there was a steady stream of paper, plastic and what appeared to be grease balls floating in the stream. In the area of the scum there was a very rank odor.

Mr. Harris, as you very well know I have reported this same scenario a number of times over the past two and a half years. What is it going to take to get the City of Brunswick to understand that they are operating under a Federal NPDES Permit that forbids the discharge of such materials I have described above and that includes the smaller stuff visible under water?

Something must be done to stop this. Brunswick and Glynn County continue to increase development such as shopping complexes, Liberty Harbor and sub divisions at a rate beyond belief. This sewage plant can't handle the influent now, how do you expect it to handle this increased development pressure? It does not make one iota of difference what their NPDES Permit allows in millions of gallons per day discharge when it can't be properly treated and the effluent be clean to the naked eye and nose also.

I keep reminding EPD that the City of Brunswick is subject to the Clean Water Act (CWA) Citizen Suit Clause. Is it going to have to come to that to get this plant cleaned up? The Altamaha Riverkeeper, Inc. (ARK) does not wish to take this path to clean up this mess. In a CWA Citizen Suit the environment wins and the tax payers always lose because of the additional burden of paying for the suit when the intetity loses.

The ARK is requesting that the EPD please step in and do its job to get this site cleaned up.

Thank you.
James Holland, Altamaha Riverkeeper

Gary Reynold's Response

Attached are photos I made as part of my investigation of yourcomplaint concerning debris and oil scum affecting the tributary leadingto Academy Creek at the outfall of Brunswick's wastewater treatment plant.  I conducted a reconnaissance inspection of the creek at both low and high tides on February 26, 2007 (Monday).  You reported observing macro solids on Wednesday (2/21/07) and macro solids as well as grease
scum on Saturday (2/24/07).

On the morning of 2/26/07 the near-by storm drain was virtually dry, exposing typical storm drain trash (bottles, plastic, see photo), which could enter the stream close to the outfall of the WPCP.  Later in the
afternoon, while the tide was rising, I did observe some grease scum that most likely came from the plant.  I still did not observe any large macrosolids, such as condoms, exiting the chlorine contact chamber,
although periodically, smaller pieces of undissolvable solids (plastic type pieces) could be seen inside the chlorine contact chamber (see photo).

The City has attempted to control the macrosolids entering the WPCP with a new bar screen and by pumping out any solids that make it through the bar screen with a vacuum truck. They have attempted to control any
macrosolids leaving the plant by the installation of fabricated steel grid screens at each of the four clarifiers.  They also continue to physically remove pieces observed escaping the clarifier screens with a
skimmer net.  City officials advised EPD that they are studying additional control measures, such as installation of a smaller opening bar screen at the head works, installation of another catch screen on
the outfall pipe itself, and maybe a tumbling, rotating drum screen mechanism at the head works.

The plant does have a problem with grease coming from the sewer collection system.  Although the City has an aggressive FOG (Fats,Oil & Grease) pre-treatment ordinance and program, some industries are sending
excessive grease to the Plant, and some of it is making its way through the plant and into the tributary leading to Academy Creek.

As a result of my walk-through Reconnaissance Inspection and complaint investigation, I plan on sending a Notice of Violation certified letter
to the City.  I will ask for a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) to include future options for better control of undissolvable solids leaving the Plant, and what specific actions they intend to take to control
excessive grease from making it through the Plant to the creek.  Once the CAP is submitted and approved by the Division, follow-up inspections will determine whether or not the CAP is sufficient to produce quality
effluent and meet Georgia Water Quality Control Rules.

As always, the Division appreciates legitimate concerns you have raised, and we intend to ensure that the City is in compliance with all rules and laws.  If this E-mail suffices to address your issues, please let me know. If needed, I can draft a formal letter to you with the above wording.

James Holland's Response

Gary, thank you very much for your response and no, a formal letter is not necessary at this time.  However, if the City of Brunswick gets observed with these same conditions again it would be appreciated if we receive a formal response.

My problem with employee's cleaning screens and collection devices that collect waste stream materials by humans is generally headed for trouble to start with.  When an employee misses or is late at a crucial time at a scheduled lift and clean, the screen becomes overloaded and trouble begins.  I saw an employee remove one of those screens one day and it appeared to be completely clogged with something.  I wasn't close enough to tell exactly what was clogging the screen so after seeing that place I can use my imagination.  Another thing I did not see was whether or not the employee had a clean device to immediately replace the device that needed cleaning while it was being cleaned.

If the City of Brunswick and Glynn County can't make the restaurants comply with our grease ordinances then we should replace those people and get new ones in that will do the job.  I don't know about the City of Brunswick, but Glynn County is famous for not enforcing some environmental laws.  You never hear of anyone receiving a fine for violating environmental laws in the City of Brunswick and Glynn County.

Gary, I deeply believe that the Academy Creek Sewage Treatment Plant is heading for a major disaster.  If you see the kind of problems that we are now witnessing at this plant you just wait until Glynn County gets done sending in all the raw sewage from the outer lying county areas.  I saw a new sub division sign on Highway 99 west of Sterling that was advertising County Water and County sewage.  If they are going to bring sewage in from that far out we are going to be looking at something like the City of Macon and its sewage woes.  The only reason it won't be the equivalent of Atlanta
is because of the difference in size.  There is a new school going up in Sterling also.  There is nothing wrong with sustainable growth, but when your infrastructure isn't ready for it then the environment will pay the price.  We won't have chicken farms and hog farms, we will have human manure that will be out of control in lieu of those two polluters.

These are just some thoughts from someone that has seen most of this occurring already.
James Holland
Altamaha Riverkeeper