Cobb County Communications Director Ross Cavitt distributed an update on the sewage spill in Acworth, which resulted in restrictions on the use of Lake Acworth and Cauble Park beach.

“Test results from Lake Acworth continue to show slightly elevated bacteria levels,” the update stated. “Although these are below the threshold for swimming, Cobb Water and the city of Acworth will continue to restrict access to Lake Acworth out of an abundance of caution.”

The update states that the heavy rain the county experienced over the past two days could have contributed to the higher bacteria readings.

Further testing was done yesterday, Sunday August 18, and the results are expected today.

Background

A sewer line at a creek that feeds into Lake Acworth became clogged with grease. The County water department believes the grease came from area residents and urges the public to avoid dumping Fats, Oil, and Grease (FOG) into drains.

Cobb County asked the media to publicize these links.

The articles pointed to by the links explain why dumping grease down the drain is so dangerous to the environment, to our water treatment system, and to the quality of our water:

Cobb Water’s FOG Information:

https://www.cobbcounty.org/water/education/water-quality/home/fog

Cobb’s Grease Management Program:  https://www.cobbcounty.org/water/compliance/grease-management/about

For updates on the situation, use this webpage:  https://www.cobbcounty.org/communications/news/sewage-spill-causes-request-close-access-lake-acworth-testing

The County’s original news release about the incident

Here is the original news release announcing the spill, distributed on Friday, August 16:

Sewage spill causes request to close access to Lake Acworth for testing

Acworth, Ga. (Aug. 16, 2024) — Cobb Water officials have asked the city of Acworth to close lake access at the Beach at Cauble Park following a sewage spill from a nearby manhole. Cobb Water crews investigating the spill noticed a fish kill in a nearby creek, which prompted the request. Crews are taking samples of the creek and nearby Lake Acworth waters for testing.

Even though the spill is well below what the state classifies as a “major spill,” the request was made out of an abundance of caution.  Acworth officials are assisting in putting out the proper notifications.

The spill occurred when crews were called to a report of sewage leaking from a manhole near a creek that feeds the lake.  Grease accumulation had blocked the line.  Crews cleared the line quickly but found the fish kill during their investigation. Recent hot weather has impacted the oxygen levels in the lake which exacerbated the problem.

People are urged to avoid contact with the water in the vicinity of Acworth Beach until test results are available. Results are expected Sunday.