UPDATE August 20, 2024

The city of Acworth has removed advisories along Lake Acworth access points after bacteria tests returned to baseline levels. Testing started Friday after grease clogged a sewer line and caused an overflow near a creek that feeds into the lake. 

Heavy rains over the weekend likely contributed to higher-than-normal bacteria readings the past few days. Residents were advised to limit exposure to the water, but those advisories are no longer in place.

Cobb Water advises residents to avoid putting FOG (fats, oils, and grease) into the sewage system.  More details can be found at https://www.cobbcounty.org/water/education/water-quality/home/fog

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UPDATE August 19, 2024 - 

Testing to continue on Lake Acworth following Friday’s sewage spill
Advisories will continue to be posted after heavy rain keeps bacteria levels high
 
Acworth, Ga. (Aug. 19, 2024) — Cobb Water and the city of Acworth officials will continue advisories on lake access points as testing shows slightly elevated bacteria levels.  Testing started Friday after grease clogged a sewer line and caused an overflow near a creek that feeds into Lake Acworth.

Test results continue to show an elevated level of bacteria in the lake, even in locations not near the overflow. Heavy rains over the weekend likely contributed to those elevated readings.  

The levels remain below the point where a no-swimming advisory would be necessary.  People are advised to follow advisories posted by the city of Acworth at access points to Lake Acworth at Cauble and South Shore Parks.

Further testing is underway.

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UPDATE (Sunday 2:00 p.m.)
Test results from Lake Acworth continue to show slightly elevated bacteria levels. Although these are below the threshold for swimming, Cobb Water and the city of Acworth will continue to restrict access to Lake Acworth out of an abundance of caution. Heavy rain the past two days could have contributed to the higher bacteria readings.

On Friday, an accumulation of grease clogged a sewer line near a creek that feeds into the lake, causing a spill. Crews quickly cleared the line but noticed a fish kill nearby, prompting the warning and testing.

Furthering testing was done today, with results expected on Monday.

Please use this opportunity to share information on the dangers of introducing fats, oil, and grease (FOG) into the sewage system.  

Cobb Water’s FOG Information:

https://www.cobbcounty.org/water/education/water-quality/home/fog

Cobb’s Grease Management Program:  https://www.cobbcounty.org/water/compliance/grease-management/about

 

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(Original Post - Friday, August 16)
Sewage spill causes request to close access to Lake Acworth for testing
 
Acworth, Ga. (Aug. 16, 2024) — Cobb Water officials have asked the city of Acworth to close lake access at the Beach at Cauble Park following a sewage spill from a nearby manhole. Cobb Water crews investigating the spill noticed a fish kill in a nearby creek, which prompted the request. Crews are taking samples of the creek and nearby Lake Acworth waters for testing.

Even though the spill is well below what the state classifies as a “major spill,” the request was made out of an abundance of caution.  Acworth officials are assisting in putting out the proper notifications.
 
The spill occurred when crews were called to a report of sewage leaking from a manhole near a creek that feeds the lake.  Grease accumulation from nearby homes and businesses had blocked the line.  Crews cleared the line quickly but found the fish kill during their investigation. Recent hot weather has impacted the oxygen levels in the lake, which exacerbated the concern.

People are urged to avoid contact with the water near Acworth Beach until test results are available. Results are expected on Sunday.

Both commercial and residential water customers are urged to adjust their habits to avoid introducing fats, oils, and grease into the system. Fats, oils, and grease are a common cause of sewage overflows.  Click here to learn more.