Complaint ID 107568 — Public Copy
Report generated May 25, 2026 12:28 PM.
On this Page
Status: Approved/Closed
- Complaint Received
- January 30, 2024 9:30 AM
- Assigned Office
- Coastal District
- Complaint Closed
- April 16, 2024 12:11 PM
- Review Comments
- [Not entered]
Nature of Complaint
Complaint was forwarded from USEPA on 1/30/2024: 1/26/2024 8:45 PM HQ LEAD NUMBER: FY24-293360-3709-CV SUBJECT: Regional Tip and/or Complaint - Georgia FROM: TO: Name: Jonathan Smith Phone: Alleged Violator's Name: Georgia Pacific Alleged Violator's Address: 393 old Augusta road Alleged Violator's City: Rincon Alleged Violator's State: Georgia Alleged Violator's Zip: 31326 Tip or Complaint: There are multiple homes off of old Augusta Road near Georgia Pacific & a DRT facility that has contaminated well water. At our home 393 old Augusta we have had 3 well companies inspect the well & have said the well water has been contaminated. The well is between 3-400ft. Please help us with this issue! Violation Still Occurring? Yes State DEP/DEQ/DEM Notified? No
- Primary Concern
- Safe Drinking Water
- Secondary Concern
- [Not entered]
Complaint Location
- Location of Complaint
- Old Augusta Road, Rincon, GA
- City of Complaint
- Rincon
- County of Complaint
- Effingham County
Source
- Source Name
- unknown
- Facility ID Number
- [Not entered]
Source Contact
- Contact Name
- [Not entered]
- Source Address
- [Not entered]
Actions
Status Letter
16‑Apr‑2024 by Bryanna Ramirez
Sent a letter (see attached) to the complainant regarding the status and closure of the complaint.
No further action required of EPD.
Follow-Up Investigation
15‑Mar‑2024 by Bryanna Ramirez
David Lyle and I conducted a site visit to investigate the well and speak to the complainant regarding these ongoing issues with his well water.
We observed no sources of contamination of at the wellhead. A sample from the well was collected in a glass and the water had a brownish tint.
We spoke with the complainant, his well contractor, and the tenant of the property in regards to EPD's jurisdiction when it comes to wells. EPD has no rules, regulations, or standards in effect for the upkeep of private wells.
We mentioned to the complainant that we would get in contact with more professionals within and outside of EPD to gather more opinions on this matter.
Other
23‑Feb‑2024 by David Lyle
Telephone conversation with Mr. Smith. Advised that EPD had completed the investigation. Mr. Smith stated that his community is very concerned about the water resources and believes that local industry has contaminated the water. Advised Mr. Smith that his well is most likely not constructed correctly. Also, permitted water systems nearby are not having any issues. I suggested that he contact the health department and the UGA Extension office. Mr. Smith advised that he was not satisfied, and he will call the EPD Director's office.
Other
22‑Feb‑2024 by David Lyle
Telephone conversation with Mr. Smith. Advised Mr. Smith that additional investigation by EPD is not warranted based on available information.
Other
16‑Feb‑2024 by David Lyle
Sent spreadsheet to Mr. Smith with sample results and list of MCLs. Spreadsheet is attached to the CTS record. Comparison indicates that the water sample was higher than Secondary MCL for manganese and iron. pH was lower than the 6.5 minimum in Secondary MCL list.
Other
15‑Feb‑2024 by David Lyle
Email exchanges between myself and MR. Smith on this day. Advised Mr. Smith that although his well is not part of a public water system and is not subject to the Georgia Rules for Safe Drinking Water, I would comparing his results to the Maximum Contaminant Levels found in the Rules to help him interpret the results.
Other
12‑Feb‑2024 by David Lyle
Received lab results from Mr. Smith via email. The sample was collected on January 24 and 29, 2024 and analyzed by "simpleLab". The results are attached to this complaint.
Other
12‑Feb‑2024 by David Lyle
Mr. Smith sent an email with sample results. He said the sample was collected from the private well. The results are attached to this email.
Other
9‑Feb‑2024 by David Lyle
Bryanna Ramirez and I had a phone call with Mr. Smith. He is concerned about the aquifer and believes it could be contaminated. I advised that there was not enough information to indicate that the aquifer is contaminated. He disagreed and requested that EPD conduct additional investigation into the matter. I advised that additional investigation was not warranted based on available information.
Other
8‑Feb‑2024 by David Lyle
Received email from Mr. Smith. He advised that In mid December he started having issues with the well water serving his rental property. He advised that several people are experiencing the same issue. He reached out to the city & County but can’t get any assistance.
He advised that the well is approximately 3-400ft deep and that he had 3 different well drilling companies inspect it and all 3 have said something is contaminating it from the outside.
Mr. Smith also provided screenshots of water sample test results.
Follow-Up Investigation
2‑Feb‑2024 by David Lyle
Received a call from Richard Lancaster of Lancaster Well & Pump. He is a licensed well driller. He advised that the well serves an individual residence. Also, he observed unusual colors , white/stringy material, and other material in well water at the caller's property. He stated the well was drilled about 5 years ago and is cased to 290 feet. he alleged that the water could be influenced by ponds located at the Georgia Pacific plant. He has observed unusual colors/materials in other wells located within 1 or 2 miles from the caller's property. Mr. Lancaster was advised that EPD would look into the matter.
Initial Investigation
30‑Jan‑2024 by Bryanna Ramirez
I called the complainant and left a message to ask for more information.
I contacted Georgia Pacific and they are not aware of any releases near the property of the complaint. Their well water shows no signs of similar issues.
Attachments
(Attachments may not be available for complaints resolved before April 2018. Please note that not every complaint has attachments.)
| File | Size | Date Uploaded |
|---|---|---|
Resized_20240111_144907.jpeg
|
310.5 KB | 30‑Jan‑2024 |
| Report HR8R7B.pdf | 41.2 KB | 23‑Feb‑2024 |
| Report W5UA2Q.pdf | 71.5 KB | 23‑Feb‑2024 |
| Well Sample Lab Results.xlsx | 47.7 KB | 23‑Feb‑2024 |
| CTS 107568 - Letter to Complainant (002).pdf | 191.2 KB | 16‑Apr‑2024 |