Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Johns Creek Environmental Campus?
A unique facility combining state-of-the-art wastewater treatment technology with an educational facility, the Johns Creek Environmental Campus (JCEC) brings together a vision developed through a collaboration with the late Fulton County Commissioner Bob Fulton, the City of Roswell Planning Department, and surrounding neighborhoods.
The treatment facility is an integrated educational campus on a park-like setting with architectural features that will blend with the community and the City of Roswell. A key component incorporates the use of the wastewater treatment process as an educational tool – explaining to adults and children alike issues and benefits related to water quality and aquatic life in the Chattahoochee River, water conservation, reuse water, and the value of water.
What are some of the benefits of the project?
JCEC will benefit both current and future residents
- - JCEC will lead to the decommissioning of the existing Johns Creek Water Pollution Control Plant, which is nearing the end of its useful life. The existing plant would require significant investment to continue meeting regulatory standards. The new facility will operate more efficiently resultng in a better investment of ratepayers’ money.
- - JCEC ensures adequate wastewater treatment capacity to serve new homes and businesses, and provides the availability of reuse water for irrigation.
JCEC will benefit the environment
- - Effluent coming from the JCEC is treated to reuse standards, helping to maintain the delicate ecological balance of the Chattahoochee River.
JCEC will benefit the Fulton County community
- - The JCEC was designed to fit in with the character of the surrounding community. It's architecture blends in with the existing surroundings, and includes extensive noise and odor controls.
- - The JCEC provides interactive learning opportunities for local students and area residents on a variety of water quality management issues.
- - Reuse water will be available in the future for use by local homes and businesses for watering their lawns, consequently preserving the drinking water supply.
Where is the JCEC located?
JCEC is located on nearly 43 acres at 8100 Holcomb Bridge Road in the City of Roswell, adjacent to the Chattahoochee River near Garrard’s Landing. You can see the plant on a map by clicking here.
Why was a new treatment plant necessary?
Fulton County historically served the wastewater needs of the north Fulton and Roswell areas through the Johns Creek Water Pollution Control Plant. This plant reached the end of its useful life, and required significant investment to continue meeting regulatory standards. The capacity of the plant was also no longer sufficient to meet the wastewater treatment needs of the growing Johns Creek basin. Upgrading and expanding the existing plant to address these issues was not cost effective, and space for such an expansion was limited due to the current location in the Horseshoe Bend neighborhood. The new JCEC is permitted for 15 million gallons per day with a new discharge point into the Chattahoochee River.
I’ve heard this new facility will provide more protection for water quality in the Chattahoochee. How will that be accomplished?
To treat wastewater flows coming into the facility, the County selected to use a membrane biological reactor (MBR) technology in conjunction with biological phosphorus removal. The decision was based on the success of the use of this technology at the County’s nearby Cauley Creek WRF, as well as at other national and international facilities. The regulatory limits for the new facility are more stringent than the older Johns Creek Water Pollution Control Plant; effluent returned to the Chattahoochee will be of a higher quality.
Will this new plant lead to additional development and growth in Roswell/North Fulton?
Census projections indicate that growth is coming to the Johns Creek basin. The JCEC will help to meet future wastewater management needs.
How come there is no odors like other treatment facilities?
As part of Fulton’s goal to be a good neighbor with this facility, advanced odor and noise control measures are built into the design of the plant. For example, all the processes involved with wastewater treatment are designed to be covered and enclosed, and odorous gasses are treated prior to exhausting to the atmosphere.
