Cobb County Marietta Water Authority Archives

Late this afternoon Cobb County government spokesman Ross Cavitt said a “slight” chlorine smell has been detected in water coming from the James E. Quarles Water Treatment Plant on Lower Roswell Road in East Cobb, but it’s safe to drink and use.

He passed along the following statement from the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority:

“This afternoon, a malfunction in dilution of sodium hypochlorite at the Quarles Water Treatment Plant resulted in an overfeed of the disinfectant, with chlorine levels leaving the plant detected at slightly over 4.0 mg/L, a little over twice the normal level. Pumping from the plant was suspended for approximately one hour, and flushing from the major transmission lines leaving the plant is ongoing. As of now, samples collected at the flushing sites have shown chlorine levels only slightly higher than normal. Consumers, particularly in the vicinity of the Quarles Plant, may experience a temporary elevation in chlorine levels (detectable through smell and taste). Water is safe to use for all purposes, but customers may desire to flush their plumbing systems if chlorine levels are unpleasant.

“CCMWA will continue to flush and monitor chlorine levels at several locations until assured that there are no further concerns with water quality, and will notify our wholesale customers if there are any significant changes.”

One suggestion Cavitt added for dissipating the odor if it’s coming through your faucet: leave a cold water tap running.

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*Lower Roswell Road near the Sope Creek Bridge was the last area for the East Cobb Pipeline Project water main to be installed. (East Cobb News photo by Wendy Parker)*

The new 54-inch water main along a 6.1-mile stretch of Lower Roswell Road and Terrell Mill Road has been put in place. But the East Cobb Pipeline Project isn’t quite finished.

Post-installation work continues and will conclude with repaving. The $47 million project, which began two years ago, will still involve some traffic disruption in the coming weeks. More about what’s ahead from Cobb Commissioner Bob Ott, who sent out this message on Friday:

Over the next several weeks, the East Cobb Pipeline project will come to a close. Commuters will continue to see crews on site performing final backfill, testing, paving and cleanup activities with single lane closures decreasing in frequency. By the end of this week, the entire pipeline will be filled with water for pressure testing the week of 9/11 while other crews continue to prepare the road for repaving. During the week of Sept. 18, disinfection of the pipeline will take place, as well as possible paving from Sope Creek to Lindsey Road, depending on weather and progress. After testing and commissioning of the pipeline, final resurfacing will take place by Cobb County Department of Transportation. For questions or concerns, please call the project hotline at 770-514-5301.