Georgians will now know much more quickly about sewage spills and see signs posted at any waterway affected by spills.

The new rules became effective June 20, requiring publicly owned treatment facilities to notify the public via the media within 24 hours of any spill. Previously, notification was only necessary for major spills, those over 10,000 gallons, and through a legal notice in the newspaper published days after the spill occurred.

City of Valdosta officials announced Friday how they would comply with the new rules, which were designed to protect the public’s health.