VALDOSTA, Ga. -- Flooding at Valodsta's Withlacoochee Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) has caused more than 11 million gallons to spill into the Withlacoochee River, according to Valdosta city officials.
Over the two day period of Feb. 22-27, 2013, the Valdosta area received 8 to 10 inches of rain. As a result, storm water flowed into the WPCP and swept secondary solids being treated at the facility into the river.
In a sample collected on Saturday, February 25, the amount of solids swept into the plant's effluent was 467 milligrams per liter. This is more than 1.5 times the seven day average allowed by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, making this a major spill.
The full volume of the major spill is the total flow for Feb. 25, which is 11,673,000 gallons.
The situation at the plant won't be back to normal until the Withlacoochee River drops below flood level. Some manholes along the Withlacoochee Interceptor line and trunk lines feeding the interceptor are now under flood water. Inflow from the flood will continue to cause high flow at the treatment plant until the flood waters recede.
The City of Valdosta is working to reduce the effect that flooding has on the water collection system. They are currently having a system of pump stations and force mains designed that will replace the existing 52” gravity main that runs along the river basin to deliver flow to the Withlacoochee WPCP. T
The City is also having a new headworks facility and equalization basin designed for the Withlacoochee WPCP that will reduce the effect of inflow and infiltration on the plant processes. Both of these designs are 60% complete.
Eventually, the city plans to move the flood-prone facility to higher ground. This move will allow the plant to be completely redesigned and re-built.
These three projects should remove the potential for hydraulic overflow due to inflow and infiltration in the future. The City of Valdosta is currently seeking revenue sources to allow the completion of these necessary projects.
Upstream and downstream sampling of the Withlacoochee River has started. If you need further information please contact Environmental Manager John Waite at 229-259-3592 or at jwaite@valdostacity.com.
