VALDOSTA —
Over the past two days the Valdosta area has received over four inches of rain from Tropical Storm Debby. Infiltration and inflow of this rainfall into the sanitary sewer system has increased the amount of combined wastewater and stormwater being collected and ultimately treated by the Withlacoochee Water Pollution Control Plant.
On June 26, Utility Department staff conducting a morning field inspection of the collection system in the Meadowbrook Drive area found evidence of a minor sanitary sewer overflow near Sugar Creek. The overflow was not active at the time of discovery. The volume of this minor spill is unknown, but indications at the location show it to be relatively small.
Since the overflow was discovered at a point within 100 feet of Sugar Creek, there is a probability that some of the overflow entered the creek behind Meadowbrook Drive. Signs warning of the spill have been placed at the spill location and downstream public access points. The area of the spill will be cleaned and treated with a bleach solution for disinfection.
As a result there is a possibility of increased levels of bacteria associated with the spill and as a precaution the public should avoid contact with Sugar Creek downstream of the spill location. Please direct any questions concerning this spill to Environmental Manager John Waite at (229) 259-3592 or jwaite@valdostacity.com.
