Sewer Spill at Ashley Street and Two Mile Branch

At 9:45 a.m. on June 5, 2012, a contractor working for the City of Valdosta Engineering Department was performing repairs on a stormwater culvert at Ashley Street and Two Mile Branch when repair equipment struck an eight-inch sewer line breaking the pipe. As a result, approximately 1,800 gallons of untreated wastewater was discharged into Two Mile Branch.

The contractor immediately constructed an earthen dam to stop flow into the stream and contain the wastewater at the spill site. The contractor then plugged the sewer line to stop the flow of wastewater into the stream. The earthen dam was in place by 10 a.m. and the pipe was plugged by 10:15 a.m.

The contractor and city Utility Department crews are working together to remove the wastewater from the stream and set up a bypass pumping system to continue sewer service. Once the bypass arrangement is in place, the broken pipe will be replaced.

Two Mile Branch flows through the North Campus of Valdosta State University (VSU) and through McKey Park. Due to the possible presence of high bacteria counts, the public is advised to refrain from contact with Two Mile Branch downstream of the spill location for a period of seven days. Signs have been placed at the spill site on the VSU North Campus and in McKey Park to warn the general public.

Please direct any questions concerning this spill to Environmental Manager John Waite at (229) 259-3592 or jwaite@valdostacity.com.