Under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act, all states are required on April 1 of even numbered years to submit a list of waters for which effluent limits will not be sufficient to meet all state water quality standards. The failure to meet water quality standards might be due to an individual pollutant, multiple pollutants, "pollution," or an unknown cause of impairment. The 303(d) listing process includes waters impaired by point sources and nonpoint sources of pollutants. States must also establish a priority ranking for the listed waters, taking into account the severity of pollution and uses. The EPA regulations that govern 303(d) listing can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations 40 CFR 130.7.

The Georgia EPD submitted the 303D list to the EPA in summer 2006.  Lanier was listed at 3 separate locations and should be classified as ‘impaired” by the EPA.  The LLA is trying to determine the locations and impacts on our ‘Keep Lanier Clean” objective.  At a minimum, the EPD must conduct a study of the reasons for exceeding the Water Quality Standards.  They then must design and implement a plan to remedy the problems.

Even though Lanier exceeded the standards for chlorophyll a (an indicator of excess phosphorous) in 2002 and 2003, EPD failed to properly report the data to EPA in 2004. The chlorophyll a readings for 2004 and 2005 also exceeded the water quality standards. EPD has now properly reported the status of Lanier (chlorophyll a worse than water quality standards) to EPA.  EPA will mostly likely put Lanier on the impaired waters’ list. This event will require EPD to analyze and remedy the Lanier pollution situation before any new treated sewage discharge permits may be issued. This is a positive situation for Lake Lanier in so far as it brings additional statewide focus on our desire to keep the lake clean.