City of Valdosta Experiences Significant Rain Event and Flooding, Resulting in Overwhelmed Sanitary Sewer and Stormwater Systems

On November 7, 2024, the City of Valdosta and surrounding South Georgia region experienced a significant rain event, with a cumulative total of 17 inches recorded over the past 48 hours.

 

The volume of rainfall in such a short period overwhelmed portions of the drainage infrastructure, including natural waterways, leading to distress and flooding across the City. The impact was further compounded by debris from Hurricane Helene, which obstructed sections of the stormwater system, redirecting water to areas unequipped to handle such large volumes.

 

Due to excessive rainfall and resulting flooding, the City’s sanitary sewer and stormwater collection systems were largely overwhelmed. The sanitary sewer system experienced hydraulic overload, causing sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) in several areas. Hydraulic overload occurs when wastewater flow rates exceed the sewer system's capacity, leading to backups or pressure relief through manholes, line breakages, and other issues. This overload was partially due to infiltration/inflow (I/I), where groundwater or other external water sources enter the sanitary sewers, increasing the volume in the City’s sanitary system beyond capacity.

Additionally, the Withlacoochee Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is currently experiencing overflow. Both EQ basins have reached capacity, and the plant is processing at a peak rate of 30.40 MGD.

 

City utilities divisions promptly responded to citizen reports of SSOs, documenting incidents and beginning sanitation efforts in affected areas. Although most of the discharge is primarily stormwater, residents are urged to avoid contact with rivers, creeks, streams, or tributaries until further notice.

 

As of today, the following SSOs have been logged by city staff: 

 

All required regulatory authorities and other requested entities have been notified of this issue. The City is following all required testing and monitoring of the affected waterways and will continue to do so per Georgia Environmental Protection Division regulations. 

  

The City of Valdosta remains committed to preventing Sanitary Sewer overflows, dedicating significant resources to updating aging infrastructure, managing programs, and developing new action plans. For more information on these initiatives or to contribute, please contact the City of Valdosta Utilities Department, Environmental Division, at 229-259-3592.