Community

Wolf Creek Pump Station Gets Maintenance Overhaul

Published

3 years ago

February 23, 2022

Arlinda Smith Broady

Upsizing the gravity sewer pipes between Simpsonwood Park and Jones Bridge Park

Ask any long-time homeowner about maintenance and you’ll probably hear a groan followed by hours of cautionary tales about leaky roofs, busted pipes or sagging foundations. Ask any municipal government and the to-do list is a thousand times longer.

One of the most noticeable maintenance projects in the metro area is keeping up with waterways and sewage systems.

Wolf Creek Pump Station — (Google Earth)

To that end, Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources has begun upsizing approximately two miles of gravity sewer from 20-inch diameter to 36-inch diameter between Simpsonwood Park and Jones Bridge Park.

According to a press release, the pipeline was installed in the early 1980s and runs parallel to the Chattahoochee River. This sewer upgrade project also includes an expansion to the existing Wolf Creek Pump Station located inside Simpsonwood Park to increase the capacity to serve the recent growth in the area. The pump station improvements consist of land clearing and grading to install a new emergency storage basin, electrical building, and generator.

Although 40 years may not seem such a long time to Generation Xers and those born prior to that era, renovation and modernization is needed to ensure continued reliability, according to GCDWR officials.

“This project will improve the reliability of this regional pump station by installing emergency storage, a new generator, an electrical building, grinders and a surge tank,” said GCDWR Director Tyler Richards during an appearance before the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners last year.

She shared the scope and intended outcome of the project.

“The project will also increase the capacity of the pump station for future growth by installing new larger pumps,” she added.

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the project in November. It was awarded to Lakeshore Engineering Group LLC in an amount capped at just under $10.5 million.

Unlike neighbors DeKalb and Fulton counties, Gwinnett hasn’t had the high rate of sewer leaks and federal government intervention to mandate projects to eliminate discharging untreated sewage into waterways including the Chattahoochee and South Rivers.

The intent of the project is to increase the firm capacity of the Wolf Creek Pump Station by replacing the existing pumps with new larger pumps. Due to the scope of the project, a large number of trees in the area will be removed. The removal of the trees is required to allow for underground storage. Limited re-planting will commence once the project is complete

The project complies with Chattahoochee River Corridor regulations and is expected to take 18-24 months for the pump station and sewer upgrades. Construction is not anticipated to cause any sewer service disruptions, and the impact to the public is estimated to be minimal.

More information can be found at www.gwinnettwaterprojects.com.

Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Wreak Havoc on Sewer Systems

Pour bacon grease down the sink followed by a stream of hot water may seem like a good way to get rid of unwanted fats, but it can create bigger problems further down the pipe.

Fats, oils and grease can cause serious problems for the sewer system. Fats derived from meats, cheeses, ice cream and butters; oils including vegetable, canola and olive oils, as well as oil-based salad dressings; and grease melted fat from cooking meats that becomes solid again at room temperature will solidify and cling to the walls of the indoor plumbing, as well as the public sewer pipes outside. Eventually, FOG accumulation can completely block these pipes and cause sewage to backup into homes or overflow from manholes and discharge into local streams. These overflows can cost taxpayers and the city money and pose a serious threat to the environment.

That is why consumers are urged to keep fats, oils and grease from going down the drain.

• Absorb small volumes of liquid food wastes such as milkshakes and sauces with paper towels or newspaper, then dispose of it in the trash.

• Pour used oil and grease into a container with a lid and place it in the trash for disposal.

• Wipe FOG from pots, pans and plates before washing to reduce the amount of residue going down the drain. Remember that hot water and detergents do break up FOG, but it will recombine when temperatures drop in the underground pipes and when the detergent is diluted by rinse water.

Information: www.peachtreecornersga.gov and click on “Stormwater,” in the “Government” tab.

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Arlinda Smith Broady

Arlinda Smith Broady is part of the Boomerang Generation of Blacks that moved back to the South after their ancestors moved North. With approximately three decades of journalism experience (she doesn't look it), she's worked in tiny, minority-based newsrooms to major metropolitans. At every endeavor she brings professionalism, passion, pluck, and the desire to spread the news to the people.

City Government

The Future of Law Enforcement in Peachtree Corners: Community Meeting

Published

4 days ago

April 14, 2025

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

Flyer for a community meeting regarding law enforcement in Peachtree Corners.

The City of Peachtree Corners will hold an important public meeting on May 8 to discuss the future of law enforcement in our community — including the potential creation of a city police department.

This meeting will feature a presentation by City Manager Brian Johnson on the findings of a comprehensive Police Analysis & Staffing Study that evaluated the feasibility and projected costs of forming a city police department based on current workload, crime levels and community demographics.

The presentation will also include budgetary considerations, comparative models and the advantages and disadvantages of a county vs. city police department.

Following the presentation, there will be time for a Q&A and open dialogue.

In-person attendance is limited to 300. First come, first served. A livestream option will be available for those who can’t attend in person.

After the meeting, a follow-up survey will be available on the city’s project page.

Meeting details

The Future of Law Enforcement in Peachtree Corners

Date/Time: May 8, 2025 at 7 p.m.

Location: Christ the King Lutheran Church (5775 Peachtree Parkway)

For more information, visit peachtreecornersga.gov.

Community

Registration Now Open for Light Up the Corners 2025

Published

1 week ago

April 9, 2025

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

The starting line of a community race with green, inflatable start archway and dozens of racers and specators.

It’s time to sign up for the best (and only) Glow Run and Twilight Trot in Peachtree Corners!

Registration is now open to participate in this year’s Light Up the Corners race, scheduled for Saturday, August 16 at The Forum. The 1k Twilight Trot will start at 8 p.m., and the four-mile Glow Run begins at 8:30 p.m. Once the runners have done their thing, a fun post-race party will follow.

This annual event is not only an exciting community tradition, but also a fundraiser for the Why It Matters campaign at the Fowler Family YMCA.

All proceeds from registration goes directly to helping struggling families and children in the community benefit from the life-changing programs and services offered at the YMCA.

Individual registration is $40 through July 31; $45 if you register between August 1–14; and $50 if you wait to sign up on August 15 or 16. Those registering as a team of four or more will save $5–$10 per registration.

Sponsorships available

In addition to individual and team registrations, organizers also rely on the generosity and support of local businesses to make each year’s fundraising event successful. And this year is no different. If you’d like to support their efforts through a sponsorship, information can be found on the Light Up the Corners 2025 website.

T-shirt logo contest

Another way to take part is to enter the t-shirt logo design contest. Artwork and entry forms are due by May 16, and judges will be looking for one dynamic image to represent the Light Up the Corners Glow Run on the race banner, t-shirts and all multi-media.

The winning artist will receive a $1000 check, presented during the event. An entry form and additional details can be found here.

City of Peachtree Corners

Our Growing Deer Population: What to Do?

Published

2 weeks ago

April 2, 2025

Mayor Mike Mason

I want to take a moment to address an issue that has been increasingly affecting our community — the growing deer population.

Over the past few years, we have observed a significant increase in the number of deer within Peachtree Corners, leading to heightened concerns about public safety, property damage and ecological impacts. I want to share what we are doing to address these challenges and how you can be part of the solution.

The surge in the deer population poses several threats to our community:

1. Landscape damage: Deer feeding on ornamental plants, shrubs and trees results in significant property damage and costly repairs for homeowners.

2. Increased risk of deer-vehicle collisions: Frequent road crossings, often under low-visibility conditions, pose serious safety risks to drivers and passengers.

3. Adverse ecological impacts: Excessive browsing by deer diminishes plant diversity, impacting the availability of food for other wildlife.

4. Public health concerns: High deer densities contribute to an increase in ticks, elevating the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

To address these challenges, the City of Peachtree Corners is collaborating with wildlife officials from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) Urban Wildlife Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services.

These partnerships are vital, as GADNR holds primary authority over wildlife management, and USDA brings extensive experience in urban wildlife management. By working together, we aim to develop a comprehensive approach tailored to our community’s unique needs.

Based on recommendations from our partners, the City is actively developing a comprehensive deer management plan. The plan aims to mitigate the public safety, property damage, ecological and public health impacts caused by the growing deer population.

Here’s what we are doing:

1. Population surveys: Utilizing advanced tools like trail cameras and thermal imaging to accurately assess deer numbers.

2. Habitat assessments: Evaluating the impact of the deer population on local vegetation and biodiversity.

3. Community involvement: Updating the “PTC Report It” app to allow residents to report deer-related concerns and submit photographs.

4. Data analysis: Collaborating with federal and state partners to analyze data and determine a sustainable deer population for our community.

Once the assessment phase is complete, the city will adopt a deer management plan. Since many deer reside on private property, the plan will offer property owners city-supported options for managing deer. This includes educational programs, habitat modification techniques and access to targeted population reduction initiatives.

Our goal is to facilitate relationships between wildlife officials and residents to ensure a balanced approach that protects public safety, preserves property and maintains ecological integrity.

Here are a few ways you can help:

• Complete the Deer Impact Survey: Available online. Your input will help us gather valuable data on deer population densities and their impact.

• Report concerns: Use the “PTC Report It” app or go online to report deer-related issues and share photos.

• Stay informed: Follow our updates and participate in any upcoming GADNR workshops to stay informed about deer management efforts.

I truly appreciate your support and cooperation as we work together to address these challenges and protect the quality of life in Peachtree Corners. Thank you for being engaged and committed to our community.