VALDOSTA – A sewer main blockage caused a major spill and flooding of four homes located within the Valdosta city limits over the weekend.

City of Valdosta Stormwater Standby Personnel responded to a potential issue in the 2100 Block of Pin Oak Circle on Saturday, Dec. 2, according to the city’s statement issued Monday.

The responders discovered sewage exiting the cleanouts of four homes upon arrival to the scene. Utilities Central Line division was also en route to the scene where it was later determined that an unknown obstruction in the line was likely the cause of the issue.

Valdosta city staff worked quickly to dislodge the blockage.

“An estimated 6,300 gallons of wastewater were released from the four cleanouts into One Mile Branch. City staff immediately began cleanup procedures and disinfection at the overflow location,” the release said.

The staff planned to return to the 2100 Block of Pin Oak Circle on Monday to check for any other potential obstructions. The release said all appropriate regulatory and public health agencies have been notified of the incident.

“Preventing sewer spills has been, and will continue to be, the city’s top priority through the ongoing Collection System Rehab Program. This program includes Manhole Rehab, the Smoke Testing Program, Sewer Main Lining, and Sewer Main Replacement. In addition, the Utilities Department has an ongoing River Sampling Program that tests waters at different locations down the Withlacoochee River. The department has also continued to install generators at the lift stations to ensure uninterrupted operation during power failures,” the statement said.

In addition to the programs listed above, in 2020, the Utilities Department initiated two additional programs: the “Creek Crossing” program and the “Cap the Cleanout” program. These programs aim to help locate infiltration and inflow in the collection system. They are designed to specifically check each manhole and sewer line on or near water to verify proper operation and ensure each house has its cleanout cap installed and the cleanout is in working order.

The city will continue its ongoing efforts to improve the infrastructure of the sewer system to eliminate these issues in the future, the city statement said. For more information, please contact the City of Valdosta Utilities Department, Environmental Division, at 229-259-3592.