On Nov. 11, a sewer crew involved in inspection of the collection system located a sanitary sewer overflow at 1825 Norman Drive, Valdosta.

The city has determined that the cause of the overflow was a blockage of grease and rags. A vacuum truck was dispatched to the scene and cleared the blockage, stopping the overflow.

The sanitary overflow was stopped at 8:20 a.m., after a duration of one hour. An estimated 14,000 gallons of raw wastewater was released.

Wastewater from this overflow did reach the Waters of the State via Sugar Creek in the vicinity of 1825 Norman Drive. The city began the required stream sampling on the afternoon of Nov. 11.

The Utilities Department is working to update the Sewer Use Ordinance to implement an effective FOG (fats, oils and grease) Reduction Program for the City of Valdosta. The target date for implementation of this program is March 2010.

If you have any questions concerning this overflow or this report, please contact John Waite, environmental manager, at (229) 259-3592 or at jwaite@valdostacity.com.