Neighbors on Lakeshore Drive in Marietta got an unwelcome midday surprise Thursday when Cobb County Water System crews were called to an estimated 840-gallon wastewater overflow. Workers were notified around 11:20 a.m., shut down the release by about 1:20 p.m., then treated and cleaned the soaked ground with lime, officials said. The spill was contained to the immediate area and no injuries were reported.
According to the Marietta Daily Journal, county maintenance staff estimated roughly 840 gallons escaped at 22 Lakeshore Drive NE and documented the scene. The paper reported that crews applied lime to the affected area as part of the cleanup and that the wastewater did not enter an adjacent watercourse. The MDJ story also noted a maintenance contact number for residents with questions.
County response and cleanup
Cobb County Water System officials say crews followed the utility's CMOM emergency procedures for overflows, which include on-site containment, state notification, and full documentation of the response. Field teams removed solids, applied lime, and monitored the area while recording the incident. The county's online CMOM list shows multiple overflows this spring, a tally that county officials say reflects both storm-driven events and routine maintenance needs, according to the Cobb County Water System.
Pattern of recent spills
This latest overflow arrives on the heels of several other wastewater incidents in Marietta and across Cobb County. A May 24 release sent nearly 1,950 gallons into a tributary, and heavy rains later in the month triggered a facility overflow that released an estimated 288,000 gallons, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta. Those larger events have prompted expanded sampling and monitoring while crews continue to investigate causes and needed repairs.
What residents should do
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division requires utilities to file an initial 24-hour notification after a sewer overflow, followed by a more detailed report, and it advises residents to avoid contact with discolored streams or visible sewage, according to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. If you see sewage in a creek or near the road, report it to EPD's emergency line at 1-800-241-4113. Cobb County Water System's maintenance division can be reached at 770-419-6393 for local follow-up, per the Marietta Daily Journal. County and state pages will post any sampling results or advisories if testing shows impacts to nearby waters.
The county said crews will continue to monitor the site and that additional sampling will determine whether more cleanup or restrictions are needed, according to the Cobb County Water System. This story will be updated if officials release new testing results or issue advisories.
