Fulton County will give the public a look inside the Big Creek Water Reclamation Facility in Roswell during Clean Water Week, Oct. 19–23.

The facility at 1030 Marietta Highway will host a free behind-the-scenes tour on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 10 a.m. Two more free events follow: an Adopt-A-Stream Chemical Monitoring Workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 21, and a stream cleanup along Wolf Creek on Friday, Oct. 23.

All three events require advance registration. The county posted details and signup links on Oct. 2.

The facility tour

The Oct. 20 tour, run by Fulton County Public Works, walks visitors through how wastewater is treated before it flows back into the Chattahoochee River. Attendees can meet facility staff and ask questions. Children under 14 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Registration is through Eventbrite.

Fulton County completed a $350 million expansion of the facility in September 2024, boosting treatment capacity from 24 million gallons per day to 32 million gallons per day. The upgrade made it the second-largest flat-membrane treatment plant in the United States, according to Fulton County.

David Clark, Fulton County's public works director, said at the September 2024 ribbon-cutting that the facility "serves approximately 70 square miles." That area covers Roswell, Alpharetta, portions of Johns Creek and Milton, and parts of two other counties.

The plant has operated at the Big Creek site for more than 50 years. The original facility opened in 1971 with capacity to treat 750,000 gallons per day.

Workshop and cleanup

The Oct. 21 Adopt-A-Stream workshop trains participants to become certified volunteer stream monitors. Registration is through the Alpharetta Recreation & Parks Department's online portal. A specific time and location for the workshop were not listed in available materials.

The Oct. 23 stream cleanup targets Wolf Creek. Fulton County provides all gear. Participants must be 18 or older and should bring sturdy shoes. Registration is on Eventbrite. A start time and meeting location were not listed.

The county also offered public "Water Wednesday" tours of the Big Creek facility over the summer, including one on July 22.

Upcoming community events

  • Tuesday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m. — Big Creek Water Reclamation Facility tour, 1030 Marietta Highway, Roswell. Free; registration required.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 21 — Adopt-A-Stream Chemical Monitoring Workshop. Free; registration required.
  • Friday, Oct. 23 — Wolf Creek stream cleanup. Ages 18+. Free; registration required.