EPD Issues Categorical Exclusion for Summerville Water Treatment Plant Improvements

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has issued a categorical exclusion determination for planned improvements at the City of Summerville’s Raccoon Creek Water Treatment Plant aimed at addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the drinking water supply and plant discharges.

The determination, published October 14, 2026, means the project qualifies for an exemption from further substantive environmental review requirements under Georgia’s State Environmental Review Process for Drinking Water State Revolving Fund projects. The determination is subject to a 30-day period for public comments and may be revoked if significant adverse information becomes available.

According to the notice, the proposed improvements include installing four granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption systems to remove PFAS from the drinking water and applicable permitted discharges, including filter backwash and sedimentation basin discharge, before release into Raccoon Creek.

EPD determined that the project meets the criteria for a categorical exclusion because it involves improvements to an existing water treatment plant without a significant change in treatment capacity. The determination also states that the project is not expected to have significant adverse environmental effects and is considered cost-effective.

The notice states that no adverse comments were received from the State Historic Preservation Office or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. However, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers indicated that the project area may contain jurisdictional areas, including streams or wetlands. The project must coordinate with the Corps to confirm jurisdiction and obtain any required authorizations or permits.

Public Comments

Interested agencies, organizations and members of the public may submit written comments supporting or disagreeing with the determination within 30 days of the notice’s publication.

Comments should be sent to:

Georgia Environmental Protection Division
Attn: Tamika Samaroo, Environmental Engineer
Drinking Water Program
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, SE, Suite 1470A, East Tower
Atlanta, GA 30334-9000

EPD will evaluate any comments received before making a final decision regarding approval of the project planning documents. The notice also states that no administrative action will be taken on the project for 30 calendar days after publication in a local newspaper serving the Chattooga County area.

The documentation supporting the determination is available for public review upon request through EPD. The notice also identifies City Hall as a location where the proposed project documentation is available for review.

The project is identified as Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) GEFA Project No. ECSDC2023006.