Update 2024-04-13: Valdosta, Quitman, and Tifton sewage spills in big rains 2024-04-11.

Before the recent rains, Valdosta had a sewage spill caused by grease and rags, of about 5,000 gallons into a detention pond on Huntley Drive that drains into Cherry Creek, and then the Withlacoochee River.

This is why you should never put fats, oils, or greases (FOG), or, obviously, rags down your drain.

This spill has not yet shown up on the GA-EPD Sewage Spills Report; I have asked GA-EPD about that. However, Tifton and Quitman have two spills each in today’s report.

And Valdosta just announced it had seven spills during the big rain April 11, ranging from 900 gallons to 150,000 gallons. At first glance they seem to have gone into One Mile Branch, Hightower Creek, Sugar Creek, and Three Mile Branch, all leading to the Withlacoochee River. Stay tuned for more.

Huntley Drive Sewage Spill, Valdosta, GA 2024-04-09, Caused by grease and rags, indirectly into Cherry Creek
Shown on the WWALS map of the Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail (WLRWT).

I compliment the City of Valdosta for a precise location, 4051 Huntley Drive, and for a timely press release, which we received the day after the spill.

Here is the Valdosta press release about the Huntley Drive spill.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
DATE: Wednesday, April 10, 2024
CONTACT: Sharah’ Denton, Community Relations & Marketing Manager
Telephone: (229) 259-3548
sdenton@valdostacity.com

Utility Central Lines Personnel Respond to Sanitary Sewer Overflow

On April 9th, 2024, at 6:30 p.m., Utility Central Lines Personnel were dispatched to address a Sanitary Sewer Overflow at 4051 Huntley Drive. Central Lines Personnel promptly initiated measures to remove the blockage and safeguard the Stormwater collection system. The overflow, attributed to grease and rags, was swiftly mitigated by the Central Lines crew using high-pressure jetting equipment. The incident ceased at 8:30 p.m. the same day, after approximately 5,000 gallons had been released into the Stormwater System. This system ultimately drains into a Detention Pond that discharges into the Withlacoochee River via Cherry Creek. All relevant agencies have been duly notified.

The City of Valdosta remains steadfast in its commitment to preventing Sanitary Sewer overflows. The Utilities department is currently engaged in modernizing aging infrastructure and implementing a range of programs and strategies to curtail and prevent such incidents within the city limits.

For further information regarding these programs or to learn how you can contribute, please contact the City of Valdosta Utilities Department, Environmental Division, at 229-259-3592.

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 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

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