Two state lawmakers from Hall County recently convened a meeting of the newly reestablished Lake Lanier Legislative Caucus to focus on concerns of taste and odor issues in Lake Lanier and the Chattahoochee River.
“Safe drinking water is vital for our communities, and no Georgian should be concerned when it comes to accessing clean, odor-free water,” Rep. Dubnik (R-Gainesville) said. “It was helpful to hear from presenters and attendees of this caucus meeting, and we will continue to study this issue to ensure that this problem is remedied.”
During this meeting, legislators heard from Gwinnett County Government Scientist Brigette Haram, Ph.D., about treatment options, including advanced oxidation processes such as ozone, hydrogen peroxide, UV and powdered activated carbon. These legislators also heard from Mark Masters with the Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center about the Lake Lanier Water Quality Initiative and learned about funding secured through Congressman Rich McCormick’s office (R-Suwanee) to address these issues.
Other attendees and presenters included: Katherine Zitsch with the Water Planning and Policy Center; Georgia Environmental Finance Authority Director Trey Bennett; and Chris Manganiello, Ph.D., Chattahoochee Riverkeeper’s Water Policy Director.
The Lake Lanier Legislative Caucus is a formal group of Georgia state lawmakers representing areas around Lake Lanier. The primary purpose of the caucus is conducting meetings to discuss and address issues impacting the lake, such as water quality, safety, levels and economic impacts.
Since fall some people in counties around the lake and downstream of it along the Chattahoochee have complained about a foul taste and odor of the water, which Gainesville officials and others have attributed to a seasonal “turnover” of the lake, only its seemed worse this time around and has last longer than usual.
Gainesville recently contracted to have hi-tech buoys placed near the city’s intake pipes to monitor and aid in treating the water as it enters the city’s water system. EARLIER STORY. POSTED FEB. 6: Gville explores ‘modern’ solution to unprecedented lake water taste, odor