For Immediate Release
Date: January 5, 2016

City of Savannah Water Resources crews responded to a minor sewage spill at 3:45 p.m. Monday, January 4, at Springfield Canal / CSX RR. An estimated 3,750 gallons spilled before the leak was corrected at 6:15 p.m. Monday. This is classified as a minor spill under State Environmental Protection Division guidelines.

The spill was caused by a sewer blockage in the gravity main. Crews contained the flow in Springfield Canal, set up by-pass pumps and pumped a mixture of storm drainage and sanitary sewer water to the City sanitary sewer collection system. Crews removed the blockage and repaired the break in the gravity main. City of Savannah jet vacuum trucks were utilized to further contain and remove sewage, and lime was spread on the contaminated areas. Spill notification markers were placed at the spill site where discharge went into the storm swale, along Springfield Canal at Bowles Ford Pond, and Springfield Canal West Gwinnett Street.

All regulatory authorities were notified. Public notification is required per State guidelines.