Sanitary Sewer Line Causes Overflow

On December 11th, 2023, Utility Central Lines Personnel were inspecting manholes and sewer lines on the current Bypass and Sanitary Sewer line upgrades project in the 1800 Block of Park Avenue. During this inspection they found a Sanitary Sewer manhole in a state of overflow. All Utility divisions were immediately notified and began investigation into the cause of the overflow.  It was found that the system was inundated with water due to recent rain events and caused a hydraulic overload.

This overload of the system is due to Infiltration and Inflow, which is the process of groundwater, or water from sources other than domestic wastewater, entering sanitary sewers. This Hydraulic Overload overwhelmed the pumping bypass system in place. Personnel began working the issue and were able to obtain more pumps, reorient the current setup and resolve the issue. An estimated 425,000 gallons of wastewater were released from the manhole and into the surrounding area before the system was able to catch up. City staff immediately began cleanup procedures and disinfection at the overflow location. All appropriate regulatory and public health agencies were notified.

Preventing sewer spills has been, and will continue to be, the city’s top priority through the ongoing Collection System Rehab Program, which includes Manhole Rehab, the Smoke Testing Program, Sewer Main Lining, and Sewer Main Replacement. In addition, the Utilities Department has an ongoing River Sampling Program that tests waters at different locations down the Withlacoochee River, Mud Creek, and various tributaries. The city has continued to install generators at the lift stations to ensure uninterrupted operation during power failures.

In addition to the programs listed above, in 2020, the Utilities Department initiated two additional programs, The “Creek Crossing” program, and the “Cap the Cleanout” program, to help locate Infiltration and Inflow in the Collection System. These programs are designed to specifically check each manhole and sewer line on or near water to verify proper operation and to ensure each house has its cleanout cap installed and the cleanout is in working order.

The city will continue its ongoing efforts to improve the infrastructure of the sewer system to eliminate these issues in the future. For more information, please contact the City of Valdosta Utilities Department, Environmental Division at 229-259-3592.