City reports violation of wastewater discharged into the Savannah River, officials say there is no threat to public health

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The City of Savannah has reported a temporary water quality issue concerning treated wastewater released into the Savannah River from the Wilshire Water Reclamation Facility.

City officials want to assure the public that testing has confirmed there is no major threat to public health.

What Happened?

Last week, routine testing found that treated wastewater discharged under the Talmadge Bridge had a slightly elevated level of a substance known as Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD). The level was approximately 1.5% over the limit that requires a public notice. All other tested aspects of the water were within the permitted limits.

The issue was caused when one of the facility’s two aeration basins was temporarily taken offline for maintenance. The single operating basin was unable to fully complete the biological treatment process on its own, leading to the minor increase in BOD levels.

Is the Problem Fixed?

Yes, the issue is now resolved. The second aeration basin was put back into service on September 25. Since then, all tests have shown that the water being discharged into the Savannah River is back in full compliance with permit requirements.

While the treated wastewater had slightly elevated BOD, the city mitigated any potential oxygen impact on the river by injecting surplus oxygen from its other facilities.

Why Is It Called a “Major Spill”?

Under Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GAEPD) guidelines, any discharge over 10,000 gallons is classified as a “major spill”. Because the discharge with elevated BOD levels amounted to 8.7 million gallons until the next test, it meets this technical classification, as required by the city’s permit.

The City of Savannah has notified all required agencies, including the GAEPD and the Chatham County Health Department. As a precaution, officials are posting informational signs at three locations:

• Under the Talmadge Bridge

• Safe Harbor Savannah Yacht Center

• River Street Ramp at Lincoln Street