SUWANNEE COUNTY, FL (WTXL) - Residents in Suwannee County are keeping a close eye on the Suwannee River, as the water level approaches flood stage.
However, there's a bigger concern -- sewage flowing in from South Georgia.
A sewage pipe in Lowndes County burst last week, leaking thousands of gallons of untreated sewage into the Withlacoochee River.
Suwannee County officials say none of it has made its way to the county yet, but this isn't the first time the river has been contaminated with sewage.
Sheriff Tony Cameron says there's not much the county can do about the water, aside from potentially restricting access to the river if health and safety are at risk. He says this recurring issue could hurt the county's economy.
"It just really does away with the tourist activity, too. People that come in here, you know, to spend time on the Suwannee to fish and do those kind of things," said Cameron. "They're not going to come and spend their money when, you know, the river is in the state that it would be."
Suwannee County mother Danielle Jenkins says she brings her children to the river often. It plays a key role in the community, and having sewage seep into the water worries her.
"It concerns me, because I don't want my child getting sick from the sewage that has leaked out of a plant, because that's, you know, really nasty. And, you know, I would like to keep the waters clean," said Jenkins.
The sheriff says, if necessary, state and local health officials could issue warnings for residents not to go in the water.
