Departments
Laboratory & Environmental Compliance
One of the most important public services provided by the Macon Water Authority is to ensure that the water released from industrial sources into the MWA wastewater treatment plants and back into the Ocmulgee River is clean and safe. Another important function of the department is also responsibility for monitoring of streams and rivers to ensure enviromental health (i.e. sewage spill monitoring). Charged with this task is the Laboratory & Environmental Compliance (LEC) department of the Authority.
Water that flows into the plants of the MWA from the sewer collection system is called influent, while the water discharged back into the river is called effluent. The LEC department tests 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to ensure that wastewater is being properly treated and that the treated effluent does not cause harm to the Ocmulgee River.
The Macon Water Authority, like every utility in America, is issued a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit from the U.S. Environmental Protection Division (EPD), which sets forth guidelines for maintaining the health of the river.
Tests that the LEC performs regularly include biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), and ammonia nitrogen (NH3:N). The LEC also has the responsibility to test plant effluent annually for 129 priority pollutants of concern to the Georgia EPD; that testing has shown that no pollutants are discharged at harmful levels to the Ocmulgee River.
The purpose of the testing is not only to protect the people of Macon and Bibb County, but also to guarantee the safety of the wildlife that depends on the Ocmulgee River for their habitat.
Also in accordance with the MWA's NPDES permit, the LEC department conducts industrial pretreatment. Industrial pretreatment concerns the monitoring of industries that discharge wastewater to the MWA's treatment plant. These industries can release toxic industrial loads, which can easily upset the biological treatment process at the plants. To prevent this, the LEC keeps a watchful eye on these industries to ensure that they maintain operations within regulatory guidelines.
For questions concerning water testing, water quality, and the MWA laboratory department, contact Mark Wyzalek at (478) 464-5678.