VALDOSTA, GA (WALB) - City workers in Valdosta are now testing and monitoring the water that flows through the Withlacoochee River Wastewater Treatment Plant after a massive sewer spill less than 48 hours ago.
City leaders say a "Bar Screen" that is designed to catch debris before water enters the plant for treatment, malfunctioned.
Although it was fixed within minutes, approximately 300,000 gallons of waste water flowed through treatment plant, without being screened.
"We recognize that spills are not acceptable at anytime, and we've done this through construction of a new wastewater treatment plant, but we're also working to constantly make sure that our infrastructure is sound and intact, and that things like this don't happen in the future," said Ashlyn Becton, Spokesperson for Lowndes County.
The plant has since disinfected the site and will continue monitoring the water very closely over the next few months.
VALDOSTA, GA (WALB) - After an overnight storm in Valdosta, about 300,000 gallons of "primarily stormwater" spilled at the City of Valdosta’s Withlacoochee Wastewater Treatment Plant early Wednesday morning.
According to the city of Valdosta, the area received about three inches of rain Tuesday night.
"While city infrastructure held up well against most of the storm, at approximately 3 a.m., the City of Valdosta’s Withlacoochee Wastewater Treatment Plant experienced an equipment malfunction. This happened during the periods of high flow thru the plant, and the bar screens designed to remove debris from incoming water did not start. - City of Valdosta"
The city reported that an operator that was on shift at the plant identified the issue and corrected.
"Unfortunately, approximately 300,000 gallons of primarily stormwater spilled onto the city plant property, which is located over one and a half miles away from the banks of the Withlacoochee River, as well as into a nearby waterway. While the WWTP has a normal average daily flow of 5 million gallons (MG), on June 26, the influent flow peaked at more than 25 MG—five times the normal rate, meaning 80% of the spill that was absorbed onto the 75-acre plant site and into the waterway nearby was primarily stormwater. - City of Valdosta"
The city said that spills are not acceptable at any time and that it is the city's top priority to prevent them all through the construction of the WWTP and the Force Main, as well as the Lift Station Rehab Program, the Smoke Testing Program and other programs.
The city reported that it began monitoring and testing the impacted area as well as cleaning up and disinfecting the overflow locations and stream discharge points.
There are warning signs posted at the spill locations and downstream from the impacted areas.
The city said that all of the appropriate regulatory and public health agencies have been notified.
The public is advised to avoid any contact with the affected areas.
"The city continues its ongoing efforts to improve the infrastructure of the sewer system to eliminate these issues in the future. Improving our sewer system has and will continue to be a priority. - City of Valdosta"
Copyright 2018 WALB. All rights reserved.
