More than 4,100 gallons of sewage spilled onto Highpoint Road in Snellville on Sunday night.
Sewage also entered a tributary of Jacks Creek, according to the Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources. The spill was caused primarily by wipes, paper and other debris in sewer pipes. Grease buildup also played a part in the spill, spokesperson Karen Shields said.
“Some products labeled 'flushable' do not disperse or break apart once they are in the sanitary sewer system,” Shields said in an email. “As these non-dispersible items collect in the sewer pipe, they can eventually cause blockages that can lead to sanitary sewer backups or overflows.”
Gwinnett County has its own guidelines to "flushables" at its website.
The department raked the area and spread lime in order to mitigate the effects of the spill. Signs were posted to alert residents to the spill and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division was notified. Exposure to raw sewage generally poses the risk of diseases and infections including gastroenteritis and E. coli.
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