BALDWIN - A blocked sewer line resulted in a sewage overflow at the former Baldwin City Park off Airport Road, which was discovered Sunday afternoon.
Contamination from that overflow was reported to the Habersham County E-9-1-1 Center as sickening at least four children, but those children had left by the time responders arrived.
Only two children of the children were located, and they were home, had cleaned up and were not ill, fire officials said.
"A sewer manhole overflowed at Wilbanks Park yesterday due to a clogged sewer line," City Administrator Karen Degges confirmed by phone Monday.
City officials believe that line had been blocked by congealed grease that had been poured down residents' drains.
Degges said the overflow points to an ongoing struggle for cities who operate sewage systems: people pouring grease down the drain rather than placing it in the trash.
"Unfortunately we have more education to do with the public to help them understand the dangers of putting cooking grease down the kitchen sink," she said."When the grease hits the cold sewer water, it congeals and over time creates a blockage."
"This continues to be a problem for us and for everyone who has a sewer system," she said.
"Once staff was made aware of the overflow yesterday afternoon, they immediately flushed the line to dislodge the blockage," Degges said.
She estimates 2,000 to 2,500 gallons spilled in the area.
"The area is in the process of being disinfected and staff is posting signs, as required by EPD, to advise the public," Degges said.
She said the city also is working to create signage, door hangers and other documents in both English and Spanish, "because we do have a large Hispanic population."
"Grease always needs to go in the trash, not down the kitchen sink," Degges said. "If people see a manhole overflowing, they should call 9-1-1 immediately, avoid the contaminated area and keep children and pets away from the overflow."
Saturday
July 5th, 2025
8:08PM
