AN ADVANCED TREATMENT SYSTEM TO PROTECT COASTAL WATERWAYS

Liberty County is leading the way in smarter wastewater management, setting a powerful example of economic growth that aligns with protection of local waterways and natural resources. The proposed advanced water reclamation facility will have the ability to safely clean and recycle enough water to welcome jobs that support families, high-quality development, and an expanded local tax base to fund schools, infrastructure, and essential services.

WHY DOES LIBERTY COUNTY NEED A WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY?
Treating wastewater in Liberty County currently depends on either privately-owned septic tanks or publicly managed wastewater treatment systems. Private septic tanks serve homes and small developments and require proper siting and ongoing maintenance to function properly. Publicly managed wastewater treatment systems provide greater environmental protection through a higher level of treatment and oversight.

THE RIGHT TECHNOLOGY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Protecting our local environment is a top priority, so multiple alternatives were considered.
• Land Application Treatment - This process requires hundreds of acres of land that could serve other more vital uses. It also requires permits that can be difficult to secure from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
• Conventional Activated Sludge - This traditional process cleans wastewater to a level that meets standards for discharge to a waterbody where further dilution occurs, but not to levels clean enough to be recycled as reuse water for industrial applications and other uses. Being able to reuse water offers greater environmental protection and conserves valuable water resources.
• Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) - This innovative technology produces a much higher quality of water, meaning minimal environmental impact to local waterways and water that can be used for irrigation and industrial reuse. The MBR facility requires a smaller footprint to construct, meaning less land will be needed in an area where wetlands and other resources must be preserved.

WHAT IS MBR TECHNOLOGY?
MBR is an advanced treatment technology specifically designed to provide the high level of water quality protection critical to our coastal community. MBR combines proven biological treatment with modern filtration. Instead of large settling tanks used in traditional treatment plants, MBR uses special membranes that act like a super-fine filter. These membranes let clean water pass through while keeping everything else inside, resulting in highly purified water. The water released from the plant is much cleaner than conventional wastewater. This high level of purification makes it ideal for safe reuse in irrigation or industrial applications, helping conserve our water resources. The MBR technology also means a much smaller footprint is required for the new facility, preserving land that is valuable for wetlands and other uses. Georgia's coast is already home to several MBR facilities with a track record of meeting the stringent treatment requirements set by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. For example, Richmond Hill's Sterling Creek Water Reclamation Facility is an award-winning 4.0 mgd MBR plant constructed in 2016.

FOSTERING GROWTH THAT ALIGNS WITH WATERWAY PROTECTION
Clean water is fundamental to economic development and quality of life for our community. Protecting our valuable water resources is one of the main reasons Liberty County deserves a modern wastewater treatment system. For years, local leaders have discussed adding a treatment facility. In 2009, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division conducted an intensive environmental review of a potential discharge into the Laurel View River. That review included scientific analysis of real-world conditions coupled with computer modeling and concluded the impact would be "de minimis" or insignificant given the amount of flow in the river and the quality of the water that will be discharged. Technology has continued to advance significantly. Modern membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems treat wastewater to near drinking water quality, enabling a substantial portion of the reclaimed water to be reused for irrigation and building cooling at Tradeport East and the Laurel View Properties development. This will conserve freshwater and support sustainable growth. Any remaining high-quality effluent will be discharged into the Laurel View River via a submerged diffused outfall.

HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?
The effort is in the early stages of a lengthy process that will include engineering and environmental analysis, along with multiple opportunities for residents and stakeholders to learn more, ask questions, and share feedback as planning moves forward. We believe Liberty County deserves the benefits this water reclamation facility will deliver, and we're committed to a transparent and well considered process.

Email your questions or concerns to [email protected].