Atlanta advances $4.8 million for SCADA maintenance and wetlands stormwater project

Atlanta advances $4.8 million for SCADA maintenance and wetlands stormwater projectThe city council has authorized budget transfers from watershed reserves to support critical control system upgrades and acquired 12 parcels for a major green infrastructure initiative in the Proctor Creek Watershed.

A $3 million budget amendment was approved for annual SCADA maintenance to ensure reliable water treatment plant operations.

The city authorized $1.88 million to acquire land from The Conservation Fund for the Valley of the Hawks Constructed Wetlands Project.

The council amended the city's stormwater management standards to formally require green infrastructure considerations in development plans.

A local resident highlighted ongoing stormwater challenges during public comment, detailing severe property flooding due to drainage overflow.

The Atlanta City Council unanimously approved several key water and stormwater infrastructure measures during its July 6 meeting, advancing nearly $4.9 million in funding for system modernization and flood mitigation. To support the city's water treatment operations, the council authorized the Chief Financial Officer to amend the FY 2026 Water and Wastewater Renewal and Extension Fund budget. The measure transfers $3 million from watershed reserves to the annual Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) maintenance project. According to the approved ordinance, the funding will address system upgrades, emergency repairs, and ongoing maintenance necessary to sustain optimal performance across the Department of Watershed Management's facilities. In a significant move for the city's stormwater resilience, the council also approved a $1.88 million agreement to acquire 12 parcels and associated easement rights from The Conservation Fund. The acquisition secures the necessary land for the Valley of the Hawks Constructed Wetlands Project. Located within the Proctor Creek Watershed, the green infrastructure initiative is designed to capture 1.7 million gallons of stormwater runoff annually to reduce flooding, improve water quality, and restore native habitats. The project is tied to performance requirements associated with the city's 2018 Environmental Impact Bonds. Complementing the wetlands project, the council passed an ordinance amending the city's Stormwater Management Standards. The legislative update formally integrates green infrastructure considerations into the city's performance criteria. Under the revised code, stormwater management plans that propose removing healthy, non-invasive trees solely to construct traditional stormwater systems will not be approved unless applicants demonstrate that alternative methods—such as pervious paving, green roofs, bioretention, or rainwater harvesting—are unfeasible. The real-world impact of Atlanta's stormwater challenges was underscored during the meeting's public comment period. A resident of Cascade Road detailed severe and ongoing flooding issues on her property, attributing the problem to an overflow pipe. The resident noted that the Department of Watershed Management had visited the site multiple times but cited historical developer actions as the root cause. Facing extensive property damage, the resident publicly requested that the city purchase and manage the impacted land. In other business, the council approved a $548,500 adjustment to water and sewer service charges for three customer accounts—including a $504,822 adjustment for a Department of Aviation fire station—due to excessive usage caused by repaired plumbing leaks.