The Gainesville Department of Water Resources has stopped a sludge spill at the Flat Creek Water Reclamation Facility.
The spill occurred when an inspection plate on a sludge pump leaked, allowing sludge to escape and travel across the ground. Flat Creek WRF operators discovered the spill around 2 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29 during their routine rounds. The inspection plate was immediately secured, stopping the flow.
Approximately 1,000 gallons of sludge entered Flat Creek through a stormwater outfall. City staff assessed the area and used a wastewater vacuum to remove as much escaped sludge as possible. All water quality tests were normal and no dead or stressed aquatic life was found.
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division was notified of the spill and signs were posted. The area is now clean and conditions have returned to normal.
