Upper Snapfinger Trunk Sewer Upsizing Project

DeKalb County owns and operates an expansive wastewater collection and transmission system. This system consists of 2,650 miles of sewer, 62 lift stations, 61,500 manholes, and two Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facilities (AWTF) – all of which serve approximately 620,000 DeKalb County residents. The county is divided into three sewer basins – Intergovernmental Basin, Snapfinger Basin, and Pole Bridge Basin – which consist of 35 sewer sheds. The County only provides wastewater treatment in the Snapfinger and Pole Bridge Basins, which contain the Snapfinger and Pole Bridge AWTFs, respectively.

The County’s wastewater collection system has experienced significant Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) over the past several years. The SSOs are a result of infiltration and inflow of non-wastewater into the system, primarily caused by poor pipe conditions. As a result, DeKalb County entered a Consent Decree with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) on December 20, 2011 (Civil Action File No. 1:10-CV-4039- SDG), to address deficiencies. The Consent Decree was later amended on September 9, 2021, to reflect additional discoveries and subsequent schedule modifications necessary to return the system to compliance.

The Upper Snapfinger Trunk Sewer is a critical component of DeKalb County’s sewer collection infrastructure that conveys sewerage from local residences, businesses, and industries to the Snapfinger Creek AWTF. The project is a part of the county’s $2.4 billion capital improvement plan to improve its water and wastewater infrastructure. Once completed, the Upper Snapfinger Trunk Sewer Upsizing Project will provide much needed capacity to accommodate future growth and enhance the environmental resilience of the County’s infrastructure.

Upon completion, the Upper Snapfinger Sewer Trunk Upsizing Project will significantly enhance the sewer system's capacity, improve environmental resilience, and contribute to the long-term sustainability of DeKalb County's water and wastewater infrastructure.

1.      Ensure Regulatory Compliance:

• Reduce sanitary sewer overflows to meet regulatory requirements.
• Comply with the Consent Decree with the USEPA and GA EPD

2.      Enhance Service Delivery:

• Provide reliable and efficient sewer services to the community.
• Improve the reliability and resilience of the existing sewer system.

3.      Invest in Future Infrastructure:

• Increase sewer system capacity to accommodate growth and development.
• Stimulate economic growth by investing in critical infrastructure.
• Create employment opportunities for residents.
• Direct resources to benefit DeKalb County.

4.      Environmental Stewardship:

• Minimize sewer spills to protect natural resources and ecosystems.
• Safeguard public health by preventing contamination of waterways.
• Improve the local ecology by preserving and enhancing environmental quality.

This project begins near Covington Highway and Snapfinger Creek (east of S. Hairston Rd.) and extends north up to Armswood Place near Rowland Road. The primary components include:

• Replacing and/or upgrading of approximately 5.3 miles of gravity sewer ranging in diameters from 12 to 60 inches.
• Crossings underneath Covington Hwy, S. Hairston Rd, Redan Rd, and Rowland Rd.
• Removing aged infrastructure and minimizing impact to adjacent stream banks.
• The new trunk sewer will be deeper to eliminate pipe aerial crossings over Snapfinger Creek.

This project is divided into two sections. Section I: Covington Highway to Colony E. Drive Section II: Colony E. Drive to Armswood Place 

The County understands the connection between a quality sanitary sewer system and a healthy environment. Eliminating sewer spills from the County’s rivers and streams is key to improving our aquatic environment. The ecological health of our water resources benefits both the environment and our citizens. Benefits include:

• Job Creation: Priority Area Rehab and Trunk Sewer Project will create an estimated 1,891 jobs from 2021 through 2026.
• Allow Growth and Development: Since 2017, there have been 1,551 request to connect to the sewer system; 379 requests are pending. These represent delays to new commercial developments.
• Planned Growth: By 2050, the population served is estimated to be 900,000 and the employment in the County's service area is estimated to be approximately 640,000.

The design phase for Section I and II is set to wrap up by May 2024, followed by construction, which is anticipated to begin in 2026 and last approximately 3 years.

Monday, April 22, 2024 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. East Central DeKalb Community and Senior Center - Room 108 4885 Elam Road Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Phone: 1.800.986.1108 Address: 180 Sams St Decatur, GA 30030 Email:  uppersnapfingersewer@dekalbcountyga.gov