CANINE SEWAGE DETECTION PROGRAM

Overview

Over time, city infrastructure, such as storm drains and sewer lines, have been modified to accommodate growing populations. In many cases, such infrastructure dates over 50 years and sewage will often make its way into storm drains or nearby creeks- citing health hazards for city residents and environmental problems for city agencies.  

The Savannah Riverkeeper has been working to get to the bottom of the sewage problem in our cities. In a collaboration with the City of Augusta Utilities Department, SRK employs Beaudreax, a two-year-old Catahoula, to assist with illicit sewage detection.  Through a generous grant from the City of Augusta Utilities Department, Beaudreaux completed training courtesy of K-9 Solutions- a company responsible for training bomb-sniffing dogs for police departments.  Beaudreaux has been trained to sniff out illicit sewage discharge to determine the source of leaks into the Savannah River waterways. 

This approach will offer more efficient methods to detecting sewage leaks, as current methods require an exorbitant amount of time and money. The reduction in time spent determining sewer leaks will result in a dramatic decrease in associated costs for the organization and city agencies in assessing these threats into the waterways, when compared to traditional methods of sewage leak detection.  A fast and effective solution to locating illicit sewage discharge will inevitably restore the vitality of the Savannah River, its’ lakes and streams. SRK's goal is to ultimately restore the approximate 75% of Savannah River tributaries and  stream that are listed on the GA EPD’s 303(d) list of Impaired Waterways, so that they may be removed.

For more information about the Canine Sewage Detection Program, please contact Tonya Bonitatibus, Riverkeeper.   
Read the Augusta Chronicle's article about Beaudreaux and the Canine Sewage Program.
Click here to watch Rory - our newest canine in training!
"The benefit I see to us is that the dog could be more effective and faster at finding a problem," Wiedmeier said. "He could also make regular patrols in areas where we have problems. A preventive maintenance culture can make a huge difference."
Tom Wiedmeier
Augusta Utilities Department
If he can find those leaks quicker, it could be a cost savings to the city...We hope it can help more places than Augusta,"
Tonya Bonitatibus
Savannah Riverkeeper
ISSUES
Issues Overview
Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP)
Brier Creek Fish Kill
Reedy Creek Kaolin Spill
Broad River Valley Farms
Olin Mercury Contamination
Plant Vogtle

PROGRAMS
Canine Sewage 
Detection Program
Abandoned Boat and 
Large Debris Removal
Certified Training
Rivers Alive Cleanups
Teenkeeper