Mountain of Tires Dumped at Sweetwater Creek

Douglasville police are looking for the person or people who dumped more than 1,000 tires on the banks of the Sweetwater Creek between Blairs Bridge Road and Interstate 20 near Lithia Springs.

“We have developed a few leads we are following up on,” Douglasville Police Chief Chris Womack said.

Tires are piled 8 feet high in places and are scattered over 50-plus yards. Some of the worn-out tires reach high into trees, but none appear to be in the creek yet.

Jason Milhollin, director of Douglas County Emergency Management, confirmed that the creek flows toward East Point and eventually becomes drinking water for East Point residents.

Even though they apparently have not yet reached the water, Milhollin warns that the tires are a hazard.

“If a brush fire were to start there or if vandals were involved, it would be very difficult to put out,” he said. “It would be especially bad because the flames would be very hot and the fumes would be toxic."

“Even if they’re not degrading," Milhollin continued, "it’s a pretty waterway and the mess is unsightly. Mosquitoes will lay larva in the water inside the tires, and it will significantly increase the mosquito population."

Milhollin said the property owner is ultimately responsible.

“The (Georgia Environmental Protection Division) doesn’t normally get involved with tires,” he said. “It’s the property owner’s responsibility.”