The West Atlanta Watershed Alliance
The West Atlanta Watershed Alliance
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The West Atlanta Watershed Alliance is one of the leading activists in the cleaning of the Proctor Creek Watershed. In addition to Proctor Creek, WAWA also monitors and protects Utoy and Sandy Creek.
The West Atlanta Watershed Alliance is one of the leading activists in the cleaning of the Proctor Creek Watershed. In addition to Proctor Creek, WAWA also monitors and protects Utoy and Sandy Creek.
WAWA's Motto: "Improving the quality of life within the West Atlanta Watershed by protecting, preserving and restoring our community’s natural resources."
WAWA's Motto: "Improving the quality of life within the West Atlanta Watershed by protecting, preserving and restoring our community’s natural resources."
Minutes from a Speech Given by the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance's Juanita Wallace, who Grew up Near Proctor Creek
Minutes from a Speech Given by the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance's Juanita Wallace, who Grew up Near Proctor Creek
Pollution in Atlanta (And Georgia) Today
Pollution in Atlanta (And Georgia) Today
The problems that harmed the community of West Atlanta and the greater Fulton County are in 1967 still affect us today. In 2012, a report called "The Patterns of Pollution: A Report on Demographics and Pollution in Metro Atlanta" was published by a group called GreenLaw. The report highlights the culmination between toxic waste and racial discrimination in Metro Atlanta: "...low-pollution blocks have an average minority population of 25.4 percent while the average minority population of high pollution blocks is nearly double at 44.2 percent." The report is fascinating, and we encourage you to read it here.
WAWA has taken this report and used it in their cause. It has been found that the number four "environmental justice hotspot" (locations where a correlation between race and pollution are prevalent) for pollution in the Metro area was in the area of Proctor Creek. The following is an excerpt from the report regarding the hotspot:
"Vulcan Materials Company has a water pollution permit for its operations at the Bellwood Quarry and more than a dozen air pollution points are located nearby. One of these points, the Perry Boulevard compressed natural gas (CNG) MARTA station, is the top violator in the block. This CNG site repeatedly violated its Clean Air Act permit in recent years. Nearby, the Woodall Creek Site is designated by EPD as a Class I HSI site because four different toxics were released into groundwater. Class I sites are highly prioritized by EPD because of the potential magnitude of the hazardous release."
GreenLaw used a point system in the ranking of these hotspots. Out of 55, this area around Proctor Creek scored a 32 in pollution points. All in all, the Greater Atlanta Area contained 52 environmental hotspots in 2012. But the problem expands beyond the city.
On a macro level, the issues of Atlanta affect the state of Georgia. For example, Proctor Creek flows into the Chattahoochee River. This is the major river that runs through the state of Georgia from the northern Georgia mountains to the Gulf of Mexico. This presents a serious problem: everything in tributaries, such as Proctor Creek, flows into the Chattahoochee. This makes the Chattahoochee one of the country's most endangered rivers.
But to change all of these issues, we have to start here, and that is where Proctor Creek's pollution issues today come into play.
Pollution in Proctor Creek Today
Pollution in Proctor Creek Today
So what does pollution look like today in Proctor Creek?
Though there has been more attention given to Proctor Creek and removing the waste and harmful chemicals present, the creek is still in need of much cleaning. Chemicals that are currenlty present are PCBs and pesticides. PCBs are manufacturing and electrical components that can lead to respiratory and liver problems. The primary pesticides within the creek are diedren and heptacholor epoxide. Diedren was used on termites in the 80s, and heptacholor epoxide is not used anymore. The pollution in the creek has hurt much of the wildlife in the water and surrounding areas. Examples can be found in Green Sunfish and Redbreast Sunfish, which contain unhealthy levels of chemicals when examined by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).
One reason that pollution within Proctor Creek is still a large problem is due to the piping from Atlanta running into the stream. The piping that was created in the 1800s in Atlanta were not built in such a way to support the massive infrastructures that exists in Atlanta today and the amount of waste that the city produces. Fifteen per cent of the piping that was built back then is still in use today. A decent amount of the trash ends up reaching the creek through the sewers and contaminating the water.
Image Courtesy of WABE.com
A Modern Field Study of Proctor Creek
A Modern Field Study of Proctor Creek
Our team had the opportunity to visit Proctor Creek in West Atlanta and see the situation for ourselves. The image above reflect the current condition of the creek, including a variety of trash that was discovered.
Our team had the opportunity to visit Proctor Creek in West Atlanta and see the situation for ourselves. The image above reflect the current condition of the creek, including a variety of trash that was discovered.
Station Three Today
Station Three Today
We also had a chance to visit the site of Station Three at Johnson Road, noted as the most polluted site in "A Water Quality Study of Proctor Creek." The creek has noticeably improved from 1967 to today. It lacks the foam and buildup of trash from the original photo, but with the evidence of an electronic scooter in the bottom of the photo, Proctor Creek still acts as a dumping ground for trash.
1967
1967
2019
2019
How WAWA is Helping
How WAWA is Helping
And What You Can Do
And What You Can Do
"Protect, Preserve, and Restore"
"Protect, Preserve, and Restore"
The West Atlanta Watershed Alliance is working hard to protect the watersheds they work with in Atlanta. WAWA is constantly working with partners, citizens, state, and federal agencies in order to continue the work to improve the issues faced by Proctor Creek in Westside Neighborhoods, Atlanta, and the state of Georgia.
The West Atlanta Watershed Alliance is working hard to protect the watersheds they work with in Atlanta. WAWA is constantly working with partners, citizens, state, and federal agencies in order to continue the work to improve the issues faced by Proctor Creek in Westside Neighborhoods, Atlanta, and the state of Georgia.
For example, it was recently discovered, within the last five years, that sewage was being pumped into Proctor Creek by lines thought to have been closed years ago. WAWA works with other agencies to equip citizens to conduct water testing around the Chattahoochee River tributaries. With this equipment, a local citizen was able to find that bacterial waste was entering the creek and inform WAWA. This information was taken to state agencies who were able to shut off the pipes and end the stream of toxic waste into Proctor Creek.
But this is still happening. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution: "Sometimes the culprit is an illegal sewer line such as the recently discovered pipe that was depositing untreated sewage from West End Mall directly into Proctor Creek. Sometimes it is overflow from a system clogged with fats, oils and in recent years, flushable wipes." This comes from a report from 2018.
One of the largest recent successes is the securing of Proctor Creek as an EPA Protected Waterway. According to the EPA, this designation secures:
One of the largest recent successes is the securing of Proctor Creek as an EPA Protected Waterway. According to the EPA, this designation secures:
- Water Quality Improvements for the Creek
- Create greenspace and increase the use of green infrastructure
- Research how downtown development contributes to increased stormwater and decreased public health
- Plan and implement projects to offset threats using the Proctor Creek Community approved PNA Study (Proctor Creek North Avenue)
- Engage communities to become stewards of Proctor Creek
- Advance economic development in the area
The West Atlanta Watershed Alliance is making these small victories every day, but problems are still persistent.
The West Atlanta Watershed Alliance is making these small victories every day, but problems are still persistent.
What Can You Do?
What Can You Do?
Give a Donation
Give a Donation
WAWA is a nonprofit organization that requires community, state, and federal funding. The simplest way help is give whatever you can. Click here to give a donation to the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance.
Volunteer
Volunteer
Take some time out of your day to join WAWA to spur on change. Click here to view the volunteer information.
Become a Member
Become a Member
Anyone concerned with the environment and the issues of Proctor Creek can pay to become a member of the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance. For a small fee, you can join this incredible organization. Click here to fill out a membership form.
Current Financial Partners of Proctor Creek
Current Financial Partners of Proctor Creek
Federal Partners
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)- United States Geological Survey (USGS)- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)- Housing and Urban Development (HUD)- United States Army Corps of Engineers(ACOE)- Health and Human Services (HHS)- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)- Department of Interior (DOI)- Department of Transportation (DOT)- United States Forest Service (FS)- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)- General Services Administration (GSA)Federal Partners
Non-Government Organizations
- Trust for Public Land (TPL)- Conservation Fund- Groundwork USA- American RiversNon-Government Organizations
Non-Federal Partners
- Proctor Creek Stewardship Council- West Atlanta Watershed AllianceEco-Action- HELPinc.org- Invest Atlanta- Georgia Environmental Protection Division- City of Atlanta (Mayors Office and Department of Watershed Management, Dept of Parks and Recreation, Public Works)- Park Pride- Atlanta Botanical Gardens- Fulton County Public Health Dept.- Coca Cola- Arthur Blank Foundation- Turner Foundation- Georgia State University- Clark Atlanta University- Spelman College and Morehouse College- Georgia Tech- Emory University and Emory Hercules Program- Atlanta Beltline- Atlanta Food Bank- Georgia Power- Emerald CorridorNon-Federal Partners
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