Massive Sewage Spill In DeKalb County, 9.2 Million Gallons

DEKALB COUNTY, GA —A large sewage spill in DeKalb County is the result of this month’s heavy rainfall. A 9.2-million-gallon sewage spill leaked into Snapfinger Creek near the intersection of Meadow Creek Path and Glen Park Drive, according to a sewer spill report, says WSB.

The sewage leaked from a manhole into Snapfinger creek on Feb. 18.

Additional crews will be deployed to dispatch, spill response, plant operations and maintenance, Maria Houser, director of the federal consent decree and environmental compliance tells the station.

DeKalb County has been working on updating the watershed infrastructure through its 10-year-plan, which has only been met by 25 percent.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the county is under a federal consent decree to repair its wastewater system in DeKalb, which isn't as modern as it could be. More than $300 million has already been invested over recent years, but more work needs to be done.

Stormwater intrusion occurs when rainwater gets into the sewer system because of things such as broken or damaged pipes or tree roots. That extra water pushes the sewage out of clogged piped and manholes.

Prior to this spill, at least 90 other ones with an estimated volume of 2.9 million gallons had already been reported.