Fulton County Unveils Expanded Big Creek Water Reclamation Facility in $350 Million Upgrade
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renovated Fulton County Big Creek Water Reclamation Facility (WFR) is scheduled for Wednesday, October 30, at 10 a.m. The event will take place at 1030 Marietta Highway, Roswell, GA 30075.
The Big Creek Water Reclamation Facility, located west of the Chattahoochee River in the Big Creek Basin, serves the largest service area and processes the highest total flow of wastewater treatment in North Fulton County. The expansion project, with a total cost of $350 million, includes $300 million allocated for construction and an additional $50 million for related infrastructure enhancements. This marks Fulton County’s largest infrastructure investment to date.
The upgraded facility will increase its treatment capacity from 24 million gallons per day (MGD) to 32 MGD. Utilizing state-of-the-art technology, the plant is now recognized as the second largest flat-membrane treatment facility in the United States. The water treated at the plant will be returned to the Chattahoochee River cleaner than ever.
Fulton County District 2 Commissioner Bob Ellis stated, “North Fulton is an area that continues to see growth in its population, along with ongoing economic development. To meet the wastewater capacity demands these increases produce, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners recognizes the expansion of the Big Creek Water Reclamation Facility is critical in providing this vital resource to support both current and future growth.”
Public Works Director David Clark added, “The work that is being done at Big Creek is a testament to the commitment and dedication of the Fulton County Public Works Department. This facility serves approximately 70 square miles and includes Roswell, Alpharetta, portions of Johns Creek and Milton, and two other counties. Big Creek needs the additional capacity to meet the growing wastewater treatment demands of the service area.”
Fulton County has operated a water treatment facility at Big Creek for over 50 years. The original plant, constructed in 1971, had a capacity of treating 750,000 gallons per day. The newly expanded facility is designed to serve the community for another 50 years, with capacity allowing for seamless future expansion up to 38 MGD.
Additionally, the plant features enhanced resilience measures, including a network of backup generators to ensure continued water treatment during major power interruptions. The use of membrane technology provides a higher level of treatment, significantly reducing the waste load discharged into the river compared to the current permit.
The project, implemented for Fulton County in 2017 by the Archer Western–Brown and Caldwell Joint Venture Team, incorporates the latest technological advancements in wastewater treatment while also addressing odor control, noise, and lighting issues in surrounding neighborhoods and shopping areas to support a better community.
