UPDATE: January 17, 2019 - The full report has been received and is available on the Engineering Department Stormwater Division page.

At the Jan. 8 Board of Commissioners work session, the board heard a presentation on the county’s ability to conduct water quality testing, as part of the EPA’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulations and in alignment with Forsyth County’s Stormwater Management Program (SWMP). The SWMP is designed to prevent harmful pollutants from being discharged into local waterways.

Immediately following this work session, County Manager Eric Johnson authorized staff to request the county’s water quality consultant to collect a one-time surface water sample near the Northcove Development (formerly Lanier Golf Course). The county’s consultant is Jacobs, a worldwide engineering consulting firm with local offices specializing in water and wastewater management.

On Jan. 9, a water sample was collected and delivered to a certified laboratory where tests were conducted for water chemistry parameters as per the county’s Watershed Protection Plan (WPP). Also, pursuant to earlier discussions between Forsyth County and Georgia EPD staff, testing for arsenic and a suite of pesticides/herbicides was added. 

Preliminary results were described to Forsyth County via an email which stated, “All parameters run as part of the pesticide, herbicide and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) suites were below detection limits. Additionally, arsenic was below detection limit.” The email also noted that water quality results for nutrients were below applicable standards and were within the normal range with historical data collected at other monitoring stations in the county.

Once the full report is received, it will be made available on the Engineering Department Stormwater Division page of the county’s website.

Soil testing at the property had been discussed at prior Board of Commissioners meetings. However, after staff reviewed ordinances and conferred with the county attorney, it was determined that Forsyth County does not currently have the authority to conduct soil testing on private property.