Cobb County's string of sewer overflows, three of which have hit East Cobb creeks since July 18, grew to seven on Monday, Aug. 10, when gravel blocked a line and sent an estimated 890 gallons of wastewater into Noonday Creek in Kennesaw.
The spill introduces a new cause and a new waterway to a pattern that has now struck creeks across the county in roughly three weeks. Noonday Creek flows into the Chattahoochee River watershed, which supplies drinking water to millions of metro Atlanta residents, including those in East Cobb.
Crews responding to 1184 Smithwell Point found manhole MH#306-0105 spilling a light grey greasy film mixed with semi-solid grease, according to the county's CMOM press release issued Tuesday, Aug. 11. The sewage spread across a 20-foot by 250-foot area before reaching the creek.
No fish kills were observed.
The Cobb County Water System was notified at 8:54 a.m. and stopped the overflow by 10:15 a.m. Crews used a jet machine to clear the gravel blockage, cleaned the affected area, applied lime and posted spill signs.
Different cause, same pattern
Most of the recent spills were caused by tree roots infiltrating sewer lines. This one was not. Gravel debris jammed the pipe at the Kennesaw location, a cause the county also documented in a July 26 overflow that sent 1,020 gallons into a Clark Creek tributary in Acworth.
The running tally since July 18 now includes spills into Sope Creek, Clark Creek, Rubes Creek, Walden Creek, Piney Grove Creek, Olley Creek and Noonday Creek, as we reported Aug. 6 when the count stood at five.
Noonday Creek itself is a recurring trouble spot. The county's CMOM index lists prior overflows into the creek or its tributaries at multiple Kennesaw addresses, including sites on Marietta Country Club Drive, Old 41 Highway and Frey Lake Road.
County silent on overflow pattern
Cobb County Water System Director Alicia Giddens signed the press release, as required by Georgia Environmental Protection Division rules that mandate public notification of sewer overflows into state waters. As of Tuesday, Aug. 11, the county has not issued any broader statement addressing the pattern of repeated spills or announcing a planned infrastructure response.
The Board of Commissioners approved a fiscal year 2027 budget on July 28 that includes a $17 million water and sewer capital increase, though the budget does not specifically tie that funding to overflow remediation.
Residents who observe a sewer overflow or want more information can contact the Cobb County Water System's System Maintenance Division at (770) 528-8731, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
