Mill Creek

In 1998, Pembroke violated its sewage treatment permit 24 times. In April of 1999, 1.7 million gallons of raw sewage overflowed the banks of the treatment pond and flowed into Mill Creek, a tributary of the Ogeechee River.

Although these permit violations are subject to fines of up to $50,000 per day, the state Environmental Protection Division (EPD) Director has only issued consent orders and fined the city a mere $100 per month.

Ogeechee River

Earlier this year, The Coastal Environmental Organization handed the City of Pembroke and the state EPD the legally required "Notice of Intent" to file a lawsuit under the Clean Water Act.

In response to the threat of litigation, Pembroke’s City Council finally agreed to construct a sewage treatment plant comparable to nearby Richmond Hill's plant. Although this was an encouraging step, Mayor Kelly and the city council did little work towards meeting their commitment.

In the November 1999 city election, the continuing sewage problem was a major issue and the citizens of Pembroke sent a clear message to City Hall by electing a new mayor and three new council members. The recently elected officials have all voiced their commitment to correcting Pembroke’s embarrassing sewage problem.

The CEO is encouraged by these recent developments and plans to work closely with the new city officials to resolve this issue so that the streams of Bryan County can again flow free of human waste.

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Savannah Morning News

• 4/27/99 -- Sewage woes plague Pembroke