In much of coastal Georgia rapid growth and development is spurring the expansion of infrastructure. Liberty County Development Authority (LCDA) announced plans to construct a water reclamation facility in the Tradeport East area to prepare for coming development. Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) has been asked by LCDA and local residents to weigh in on the science of potential discharge and proposed outfall locations.
View the agreement between LCDA and ORK
ORK will conduct a collection project at two locations (Laurel View River and North Newport River) that are possible locations for the discharge. Probes will take readings of dissolved oxygen, salinity, and temperature every 30 minutes. Additionally, ORK will manually take monthly samples and test for 5-day biochemical oxygen demand, enterococci, ammonia, total phosphorus, orthophosphate, pH, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, and PFAS.
This data will be publicly available for viewing and download, and will be provided to LCDA and Georgia EPD decision-makers. This data will also provide a valuable baseline to compare to any environmental changes that might happen in the future.
Read the joint press release between LCDA and ORK
Data
When data is collected, it will be available here. Data collection protocols, quality control measures, and methodology will also be available here. Additionally, ORK will provide a basic guide for what various parameters tell scientists about the water quality and overall health of the river.
Ogeechee Riverkeeper has and always will push for science-based decision making. We will also continue to advocate treatment at the highest possible level for the waste created and push for the most stringent permit conditions we can get to protect our waters as growth continues.” Damon Mullis, Riverkeeper and Executive Director
In The News
Tradeport East wastewater plant meeting draws more than 200 in Riceboro – The Current GA (July 2026)
BREAKING: LCDA, Riverkeeper enter into water monitoring agreement – Coastal Courier (July 2026)
Ogeechee Riverkeeper, Liberty County Development Authority reach testing agreement – The Current GA (July 2026)
Liberty County wrestles with water, wastewater planning – The Current GA (July 2026)
Liberty County Development Authority to seek more data on local rivers – The Current GA (June 2026)
Liberty County Development Authority considers alternate wastewater discharge site – The Current GA (June 2026)
Liberty County meeting draws over 200 to debate wastewater discharge locations – The Current GA (June 2026)
LCDA meeting on proposed treatment plant draws a crowd – Coastal Courier (June 2026)
Citizens question wastewater discharge plan for Laurel View River – The Current GA (June 2025)
LCDA continues review of alternatives for treatment plant – Coastal Courier (June 2026)
Liberty County water treatment project draws strong opinions from residents – WSAV-TV (June 2026)
LCDA proposes new wastewater treatment plant with discharge into local waterways – Coastal Courier (May 2026)
Liberty Co. wastewater plan sparks debate over river discharge – WSAV-TV (May 2026)
$32.5M wastewater plant proposed to meet Liberty County’s growth needs – The Current GA (March 2026)
LCDA meets with EPD on proposed wastewater facility – Coastal Courier (March 2026)
LCDA revisits plans for Tradeport treatment plant – Coastal Courier (February 2026)
The Brown Side of Coastal Flooding: From Savannah to Brunswick, sewage spills on the rise – Savannah Morning News (August 2025)
Water reclamation plant on hold – Coastal Courier (November 2011)
No recent movement on sewage plant permit – Coastal Courier (September 2010)
EPD study: Discharge wouldn’t hurt river – Coastal Courier (April 2010)
Laurel View discharge debate continues – Coastal Courier (October 2009)
Sewage plant skeptics blast EPD study – Coastal Courier (May 2009)
Residents want plant plans flushed – Coastal Courier (January 2009)
Bryan County questions planned Liberty County wastewater plant – Savannah Morning News (November 2008)
Links and Resources
Review of Circulation and Water Quality Considerations – May 2025
ORK public comment on Laurel View PUD – February 2025
State of Georgia’s Coastal Georgia Regional Water Plan – 2023
LCDA water service map – 2013
Georgia EPD Laurel View River Presentation – 2010