August 6, 2019 – A contractor working at a new business in the Riverview Business Park accidentally hit one of the Authority’s sewer force mains on August 5, 2019. Between 5,000 and 10,000 gallons of wastewater from the Ready Pac salad plant escaped from the sewer line and flowed into a small tributary stream that runs into the Towaliga River.
The spill did not affect our drinking water system, nor is it expected to impact any downstream water supplier.
Due to the small volume leaked, water in the Towaliga River and High Falls Lake was very likely not impacted in any measurable way. Groundwater would not be impacted.
The Authority followed all Georgia Environmental Protection Division rules in responding to the leak and reporting it to regulators. It was classified as a small spill because it was less than 10,000 gallons.
The water in the force main that was damaged by the contractor was primarily (at least 90%) wash water used to clean vegetables. At the time of the damage, the line was running clear water with no solid materials visible (not even lettuce) and contained a small amount of chlorine that Ready Pac uses in its process, thereby reducing the likelihood of any harmful bacteria.