The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper announced on social media that they will sue the developers of a Columbus apartment complex citing stormwater runoff that is threatening the health of nearby waterways.
According to their blog, on March 18, 2026, CRK sent a 60-day notice of intent to sue the developers of Aspire at Old Guard for violations of the Clean Water Act. While developing land for future apartments in Columbus, Georgia, the developer failed to take basic measures required by law to protect nearby waterways from muddy stormwater runoff.
A 60-day notice of intent to sue is required under the Clean Water Act and CRK intends to move forward with a lawsuit after expiration of the 60-day period.
Stormwater runoff from construction sites is a major threat to the health of our rivers, lakes, and streams. Under the Georgia Erosion & Sedimentation Act and the Clean Water Act, construction sites are required to have plans and Best Management Practices (BMPs) on site to stop the flow of muddy water into waterways when it rains.
Unfortunately, the government agencies that are supposed to enforce these laws often lack the resources or will to do so. Excessive sediment is the number one pollutant to the Chattahoochee River and has detrimental effects on the river ecosystem and people that live downstream.
Part of CRK’s mission is to fill in these enforcement gaps by working with developers to protect water quality and hold polluters accountable when necessary.
CRK first reported the Aspire construction site to the City of Columbus in 2025. Muddy stormwater had been released through a silt fence that was broken and insufficient. As a result, the muddy stormwater was flowing into the neighboring stream – a tributary to Heiferhorn Creek, which flows into the Chattahoochee River. CRK contacted the City of Columbus, who required the developer to repair the silt fence.
In February 2026, CRK discovered that conditions at the site had worsened dramatically. The developer’s failure to install and maintain the required BMPs combined with a sudden influx of heavy rain sent muddy water flowing freely from the site. The creek – once a pristine stream teeming with life – was filled with sediment because of the developer’s violations of the law.
“I’ve looked at thousands of construction sites in my nineteen years with CRK, and this development ranks in the top five worst that I’ve seen,” says Riverkeeper and executive director Jason Ulseth.
CRK is committed to securing accountability for these violations and mitigating the damage done to Heiferhorn Creek and the Chattahoochee River.
Community members can help CRK keep an eye on erosion and stormwater violations. Click here to learn more about our Get the Dirt Out program.
