Etowah Water and Sewer Authority believes a severe storm damage is to blame for a wastewater discharge identified at 2:37 pm Saturday, March 27, 2021 into Black’s Mill Creek near Black’s Mill Road and Dawson Forest Road. A severe storm washed out the creek and exposed a sanitary sewer force main. The storm also caused a large bolder to fall off the bank causing damage to the force main. The damage resulted in a discharge into the creek. Authority staff estimated 42,000 gallons of wastewater discharged into Black’s Mill Creek. Authority and contract employees located and identified the problem, repaired the force main, and returned the sewer collection system to normal operations around 6:18 pm.
Authority staff began the required monitoring protocol on Sunday by posting signs and monitoring the spill site. Georgia Environmental Protection Division and Dawson County Environmental Health Department were both notified.
