Cleveland continues cleanup after sewer spill into Mossy Creek

CLEVELAND, Ga. — City of Cleveland officials say they are continuing cleanup and monitoring efforts after a broken sewer line discharged less than 10,000 gallons of wastewater into Mossy Creek on Monday.

The sewer overflow occurred around 8:30 a.m. July 13 at 831 Donald E. Thurmond Parkway after a pipe broke, sending wastewater into the creek. Utility crews stopped the spill by approximately 8:30 p.m. after repairing the damaged line.

City officials say they are following Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) protocols for wastewater spills involving less than 10,000 gallons.

Those measures include determining the extent of the spill and any affected areas, completing repairs to the sewer system, notifying the public and regulatory agencies, and taking steps to reduce potential environmental impacts.

Cleanup efforts have included staking the affected area, applying hay and lime, and posting advisory signs along the impacted section of Mossy Creek and downstream where needed. The city also notified the media, the local health department and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division.

The public is advised to avoid contact with the water in areas where spill advisory signs have been posted.

Officials say the site will be monitored regularly, with additional maintenance performed as needed. The city will also follow any further guidance provided by the Georgia EPD.

“The current cost of the repair and clean up is unknow at this time as additional monitoring and site maintenance will be undertaken,” Cleveland’s Director of Economic Planning and Development Tom O’Bryant told Now Georgia.

Under state regulations, municipalities are required to publicly report wastewater spills and notify the Georgia EPD whenever a discharge reaches state waters.