Valdosta wastewater plant leaking sewage since Sunday

Published 7:34 pm Tuesday, January 24, 2017

VALDOSTA — A six-million gallon basin at Valdosta’s new wastewater treatment plant has been leaking sewage since Sunday, threatening harm to residents near Mud Creek and the Withlacoochee River.

At least half a million gallons of raw sewage and stormwater has spilled out since the leak was discovered Sunday around 11 p.m.

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As of Tuesday night, the leak had not been stopped. The water in the basin has to fall below where the leak is before the problem can be fixed, the city said.

The leak is near the bottom of the basin. It is expected to stop sometime Tuesday night, the city said.

The massive sewage spill will most likely contaminate water in Mud Creek and the Withlacoochee River, Madison County (Fla.) Emergency Management said.

Florida residents in Madison and Hamilton counties should be extra careful around the Withlacoochee, the Florida Department of Health said.

The full size and impact of the spill is not yet known.

“Until further information is known regarding possible contamination of the river, people in the area are urged to take precautions when in contact with the Withlacoochee River,” Madison’s Emergency Management said on its social media account Tuesday afternoon. “Water contaminated with wastewater overflow presents several health risks to humans. Untreated human sewage with microbes could cause gastrointestinal issues and other conditions.

“Anyone who comes into contact with the river water should wash thoroughly, especially hands and before eating or drinking. Children and older adults, as well as people with weakened immune systems, are particularly vulnerable to disease so every precaution should be taken if in contact with the river water.”

Some North Florida residents expressed their anger over the spill and how long it took for residents to be notified. The leak was discovered Sunday. The public was not notified until Tuesday.

“This is beyond old!” Chuck Burnett wrote on Facebook post Tuesday afternoon. “Starting to HATE Lowndes County … It’s our Florida waters that are being contaminated!!!”

The city said it wanted to get an accurate picture of the spill before releasing information. City staff and contractors have been investigating the spill since early Monday morning. Information about the spill was not released until late Tuesday. 

Many Facebook commenters said they were not surprised to see yet another sewage spill in Valdosta, and Jeannie Page, a Florida resident, said it was time for the city to stop making excuses.

“Other cities seem to be able to handle their sewage problem when a big rain comes. Valdosta needs to step up to the plate and fix this problem. If they can’t do it, get someone who knows what they are doing,” Page wrote.

Tammy Hand Pain agreed, writing, “Here we go again!!!! When is Florida gonna do something to hold Georgia accountable…..WHEN.”

Valdosta’s new Withlacoochee Wastewater Treatment Plant opened just one year ago. The city believes the leak was caused by a construction issue with the seals, seams or joints at the bottom of the basin.

After storms swept through the area Sunday, the basin filled with excess sewage and stormwater. That’s when the leak started.

Garney Construction built the plant, and the site is under warranty. All appropriate regulatory and public health agencies have been notified of the spill, the city said.

People with questions about the spill can contact: Hamilton Department of Health at 386-758-1059; Madison Department of Health at 850-973-5000; or Valdosta Superintendent John Waite at 229-259-3592.