Atlanta Struggles to Combat Flooding Amid Infrastructure Challenges and Climate Change

The Ongoing Battle Against Flooding in Atlanta

Atlanta, the bustling capital of Georgia, has been in a dogged struggle for almost three decades to tackle its age-old stormwater and sewer woes. The aim? To reduce flooding, prevent smelly water-quality issues, and ultimately protect the community’s health. With a whopping five-year, $1.6 billion capital improvements plan in full swing, you’d think that the city would be well on its way to a clear solution. But alas, flooding and contamination risks stick around like a bad penny.

The Struggle is Real

During the recent Hurricane Helene, Peachtree Creek soared to a jaw-dropping 23 feet, washing out neighborhoods left and right, as reported by the United States Geological Survey. Meanwhile, Atlanta’s wastewater treatment facilities were pushed to their limits, spilling over and exceeding federal standards for discharging polluted wastewater. Sarah H. Ledford, an associate professor at Georgia State University, bluntly points out that the old adage—“the solution to pollution is dilution”—isn’t going to save us here. When it comes to untreated sewage, the amount of water needed to dilute it is “infinitely high.”

We Need Each Other

Stakeholders—businesses, local government, universities, and community groups—need to come together like a well-oiled machine to confront this dilemma. With climate change cranking up the intensity of storms, Atlanta’s population on the rise, and developers chomping at the bit, experts agree: we need innovative funding and infrastructure solutions to address these growing issues, particularly in underserved neighborhoods.

A Walk Down Memory Lane

The heart of the problem lies in an aging sewer system designed long ago to manage both household waste and stormwater. You guessed it—about 10% of this collection system still combines stormwater and sewage. With around 2,150 miles of old piping in play, much of it hails from the late 1800s, a time when Atlanta was a fraction of its present size. Na’Taki Osborne Jelks from Spelman College explains that this antiquated setup has led to untreated sewage making its way into local creeks and streams on rainy days.

Two Sides of the Same Coin

Adding to the complexity, certain populations—especially Black communities in the Westside and Old Fourth Ward—face a higher risk of flooding and contamination. Jelks emphasizes how these systemic issues can be traced back to past city planning that left marginalized neighborhoods vulnerable. “The architects of segregation wanted to keep the races separated,” she notes, “and they looked at the control of natural resources as part of that equation.”

The City’s Plan

The city is under a federal mandate to upgrade infrastructure in order to tackle these problems. While they’ve managed to separate out some of the combined systems, the costs are often prohibitive, and uprooting plumbing in older buildings poses its own set of challenges. Most of the combined sewers are nestled right in the heart of the Downtown area, making upgrades a tricky business. Not to mention, overly intense storms, often referred to as “acts of God,” challenge the existing infrastructure.

Forward Thinking Solutions

Experts have floated some exciting ideas like building underground storage tunnels, detention basins, rain gardens, and even installing permeable pavement that lets water seep through. Atlanta has started implementing some of these strategies, such as the Green Infrastructure Plan and a capacity relief pond at Historic Fourth Ward Park. But with improvements requiring substantial funding, the city needs to keep looking for support.

Funding Solutions

Ledford suggests a stormwater fee for landowners based on impervious surface area—a great way to encourage responsible land use without stifling growth. Although, she warns, this wouldn’t fix public roads. “They’ve spent $4 billion over the years to get to this point, but it’s not enough, especially in light of climate change,” she quips.

More Regulations, Please

And let’s not forget about the regulations. Joshua Gassman, a principal in sustainable design, recommends tougher performance requirements for new developments that focus on reducing runoff through innovative practices. “Give them a little incentive like a cash payment for meeting higher standards,” Gassman suggests, encouraging a more conscientious approach to development.

The Bottom Line

In the end, the clock is ticking for Atlanta. With flooding fears looming larger and larger, the city must continue to implement smart strategies and engage every stakeholder at the table to ensure that everyone is safe, healthy, and happy. There’s no doubt, this isn’t just about pipes and water; it’s about communities and the residents who call them home.