Protecting Water in the Southeast

Water Topics and Programs

Watersheds
Surface Water
Public Notices
Permits and Enforcement
Ground Water
Grants and Funding
Coastal Areas and Oceans

National Information

The Water Protection Division in Region 4 works to implement water programs in eight southeastern states. This large geographic area spans from the shores of Florida to the hills of Kentucky. It represents one of the fastest growing areas in the United States. It also presents many opportunities to develop, implement, and evaluate programs that promote sustainable infrastructure and incorporate green infrastructure concepts in the Southeast.

In conjunction with our state partners, the Water Protection Division utilizes a watershed approach as an effective framework to manage programs in priority watersheds. This approach allows EPA and the states to focus our mutual resources to protect and restore waters.

The Water Protection Division is a dynamic organization that has responsibilities for:

permitting and enforcement of facilities that discharge to water bodies
working with states, tribes and local governments to protect our coastal areas
helping to provide safe drinking water to our citizens, and
implementing and overseeing regulatory programs in our states.

Hot Topic: Perflourochemical Contamination

EPA is investigating elevated levels of perflourinated compounds (PFC) in sewage sludge generated by two wastewater treatment facilities: Dalton Utilities Loopers Bend Wastewater Treatment Plant (Dalton Utilities) in Dalton, Georgia and Decatur Utilities Dry Creek WastewaterTreatment Plant (Decatur Utilities), in Decatur, Alabama. The investigations are being coordinated with state agencies and the utilities.

Dalton Utilities, Dalton, Georgia: Recent sample analyses taken by Dalton Utilities at its Loopers Bend Wastewater Treatment facility indicated elevated PFC concentrations in the sewage sludge and the compost generated from the sewage sludge. PFC concentrations were also detected in soils and groundwater assocaited with the land application of treatment plant effluent and in the adjacent Conasauga River downstream of the treatment plant.
Decatur Utilities, Decatur, Alabama: For approximately 12 years (from 1996 to 2008), the biosolids generated by Decatur Utilities were used as a soil amendment on about 5000 acres of privately owned agricultural fields in Lawrence, Morgan and Limeston Counties. Elevated PFC concentrations have been detected in biosolids-applied soils, groundwater, and surface water ponds in the area.

Water Topics and Programs

For information about the contents of this page please contact
Mary Cashin (cashin.mary@epa.gov)

Protecting Water in the Southeast

Water Topics and Programs

National Information

Hot Topic: Perflourochemical Contamination

Water Topics and Programs

Watersheds

Surface Water

Public Notices

Permits and Enforcement

Ground Water

Grants and Funding

Coastal Areas and Oceans

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