Tybee Island sewer system overflows, spilling 40,000 gallons into creek
Tybee Island, Ga., faced a significant sewage spill on Saturday due to heavy rainfall that overwhelmed the sanitary sewer system. The island received 5.39 inches of rain, adding to nearly 2 feet already recorded this month.
According to a local ABC news affiliate, City staff took measures to manage the situation by controlling lift stations and redirecting flows. Despite their efforts, approximately 40,000 gallons of stormwater mixed with wastewater overflowed from manholes into Horsepen Creek.
This incident marks the third spill at this site this summer, linked to high rainfall and an aging sewer system. The city has been investing in infrastructure improvements to tackle these longstanding issues.
After a previous spill on August 9, the city has implemented several remedial measures, including raising manholes, cleaning storm inlets, and repairing sinkholes. They also partnered with PKX to inspect sewer lines for structural defects.
Big changes may come as staff analyze footage to prioritize critical projects, potentially influencing the city’s $12.5 million infrastructure improvement plan aimed at upgrading the water and sewer systems over the next five years. Furthermore, the city has secured a $2.5 million low-interest loan from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority for its first sewer line rehabilitation project.
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