COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Update: Sewell Mill Creek has reopened following a sewer line leak over the weekend. Cobb officials said on Thursday, the water is now safe after testing good results over the past two days.
Original story:
Cobb County reported Monday that, following a sewage spill into an East Cobb creek last week, crews had observed higher bacteria levels but no solid material or fish were killed as a result.
The spill was discovered by crews at a rupture around Pimlico Court near Sewell Mill Creek. The county said it "worked with a contractor to bring in a pump and set up a bypass line to stop the leakage."
In a release Saturday, providing notice of Friday's spill, the county said the overflow was stopped just after midnight that morning and Cobb County Water System employees were "following EPD protocols for such an event."
Testing on Saturday revealed "higher levels of bacteria in the creek" but that "those levels were down significantly Sunday."
The county on Monday also posted an official notice on the spill, estimating its volume at 152,750 gallons. The county said more testing is necessary and that "we are still advising people to avoid contact with the creek."
Rosalyn Parsons has lived in Marietta since the 1970s. She said the creek near East Cobb Park was normal except for one thing.
"There are usually several families down there with eight or 10 kids and having the best time," Parsons said.
Parsons didn't notice the kids Monday afternoon. She said it's rare she hears of sewage spills in the county.
"I'm usually very impressed with Cobb County Water Authority," she said. "So, I was very surprised this happened."
The county describes the spill as "gray water." Parsons wonders about the future.
"Why did it happen? And how do we prevent it from happening again?" Parsons asked.
A Cobb County spokesman said crews thought they needed to clear a sewer line blockage, but instead found the line had ruptured.
According to the county, levels have already decreased. However, recent rain has pushed testing back. A county tester came by to check out the water Monday. Those results are to come back in 24 hours.
Visitors are still asked to avoid the water from East Cobb Park southward. And crews will be required to test every day for the next week, with random tests over the next year.
11Alive received the following statement from the Georgia Department of Environmental Protection (EPD):
There was no fish kill event. Apparently, there was a broken pipe in the middle of the creek. Cobb County crews are working on repairs...Cobb County is required to do stream monitoring for the first seven days, and we should receive the report this week. According to the supervisor, he’s saying that the numbers are okay. Also, since Cobb County is under the CMOM program, any spills over 30,000 EPD, a demand letter will be issued.
The EPD added it will take appropriate enforcement action to address the spill. In this case, that action will involve a penalty.
There have been 661 total spills throughout the State of Georgia in 2023. Sixty-three of the spills were reported from Cobb County and 19 reported spills occurred in Fulton County, according to data from the EPD.
A Cobb County spokesman added they met with a contractor Monday afternoon and are researching what the normal levels in the creek are.
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