Kayaker Raises Concerns Over Sludge in Lookout Creek; City of Trenton Responds

TRENTON, Ga. — The City of Trenton is responding after a local kayaker reported seeing thick sludge and foul-smelling water in Lookout Creek near the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

Caden Tripp shared photos, videos, and a firsthand account of what he observed while kayaking the creek on Friday, April 10.

Tripp says when he reached the area near the treatment facility, he noticed what he described as dirty water with an “absolutely horrible” odor being discharged from the hillside.

“It was thick, foul-smelling, and did not have the consistency of properly treated water,” Tripp said.

Tripp also reported that after he began recording video, someone near the facility appeared to adjust equipment, and the flow of water soon stopped.

He added that as he continued downstream, he observed very little wildlife and what he described as a concerning number of dead fish.

The City of Trenton issued a public notice the following day acknowledging an issue at the wastewater treatment plant that occurred around 2:00 p.m. That Day.

According to the city, a clarifier system used to remove solids from wastewater became clogged, causing a buildup of thick sludge. While crews worked to resolve the blockage, the system was temporarily overloaded, leading to an overflow from a secondary clarifier.

“As a result, partially treated wastewater was discharged into the freshwater outflow leading to Lookout Creek,” the city said in its statement.

Officials estimate the discharge lasted approximately 15 to 30 minutes.

The city says it notified both the Georgia Department of Public Health Environmental Division and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, as required.

Officials maintain that there is no threat to the public drinking water supply.

Photo by: Caden Tripp)