Point of No Return: Successes and Lessons Midway Through a Consent Decree

Atlanta is one of several cities nationwide that has been issued a consent decree for sewage overflows into waterways. Now at its midpoint, this paper aims to discuss its issues and successes as it relates not only to setting design standards and technical approaches of modeling, project design, etc. but also the financial, political, and social ramifications of a 3.9 billion program. From using innovative techniques in designing capital improvement projects, to instituting a 1% sales tax increase to limit the rise in billing fees, the City of Atlanta has been successful in repairing its old infrastructure, reduce sewage spills and subsequent fines, and avoid a developer moratorium.