Politics
Augusta Enforces Stormwater Rules As Air Quality Exceeds EPA Standards
Augusta residents and property owners must follow local stormwater discharge bans and tank containment rules while the city addresses its 2023 PM2.5 average that exceeded the 2024 EPA standard.
How we reported this
Augusta's Environmental Division administers the Flood Damage Prevention, Soil Erosion, Tree, and Air Quality Ordinances along with Title V of the Georgia Planning Act. These programs set requirements for new waste disposal facilities and above-ground storage tanks. The rules apply directly to property owners, developers and operators whose activities intersect with municipal storm sewers or groundwater areas.
The city prohibits illicit connections to municipal storm sewers and bans discharge of any matter other than storm water runoff into the system. Accidental spills require immediate 911 notification. New waste disposal facilities must include synthetic liners and leachate collection systems. Land disposal of hazardous waste is prohibited in Significant Groundwater Recharge Areas. Above-ground chemical or petroleum storage tanks larger than 660 gallons in High Pollution Susceptibility Areas must provide secondary containment for 110 percent of tank volume.
Air Quality Standard and Local Readings
In 2024 the EPA set the annual PM2.5 emission standard at 9 µg/m³. Augusta's 2023 annual PM2.5 reading averaged 9.58 µg/m³, exceeding the new federal limit. The Environmental Division continues to administer the Air Quality Ordinance as the mechanism for addressing this exceedance through existing regulatory programs.
These requirements affect residents through the daily operations of local businesses and development projects. Property owners planning construction or expansion must meet the liner, containment and discharge standards before permits are issued. Operators of larger storage tanks in designated areas must install secondary containment to remain compliant. The 911 spill notification rule applies to anyone who causes or discovers an accidental release into the storm sewer system.
Next Steps for Compliance
The Environmental Division will continue to administer the listed ordinances and Title V provisions. Residents can expect enforcement to follow the same procedures already in place for stormwater, waste and air quality matters. No new effective dates beyond the 2024 EPA standard are specified in the current ordinances.
Compliance activities remain tied to the existing municipal code sections that cover storm sewers, waste facilities and storage tanks. Property owners and facility operators are responsible for meeting the liner, containment and notification requirements when their projects or operations fall under the regulated categories.