Officials estimate more than 187,000 gallons of partially treated wastewater was spilled into Flat Creek in Gainesville last week.
According to a news release from the city, employees with the Gainesville Department of Water Resources discovered the spill at the Flat Creek Water Reclamation Facility located on Old Flowery Branch Road on Monday, December 4.
After investigating, officials said an improperly closed valve resulted in the spill which happened for several hours overnight on Wednesday, November 29 into Thursday the 30th. The value situation prevented alum from being pumped, according to the release.
"This resulted in a daily composite discharge of 28.9 mg/L total suspended solids which is above the 25 mg/L limit for total suspended solids required by the discharge permit," officials stated in the release.
As required by permit, city staff contacted the Georgia Environmental Protection Division and started testing and notification protocol on Monday.
According to the release, the city will monitor the site and report results to the EPD for the next year.
