Spill and Overflow Notifications

Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO) is a term used to describe two types of events. The first is a sanitary sewer spill, while the second is a sanitary sewer overflow.

By Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) definitions, a sanitary sewage "spill" is an event in which sewage escapes from the conveyance system and enters the waters of the State. A sanitary sewage "overflow" is an event in which sewage escapes from the conveyance system, but is contained before reaching the waters of the State. By definition, "waters of the State" are ponds, creeks, streams, rivers, lakes, etc. -- including storm drains that carry potential pollutants into "waters of the State."

Spills and overflows are further broken down into two classifications -- major and minor. An SSO is classified as "minor" when less than 10,000 gallons of sewage is discharged, while a "major" SSO results in over 10,000 gallons of sewage being discharged. A major spill also can result from permit violations at a wastewater treatment plant. A significant fish kill within the receiving waters also is classified as a major spill, regardless of the volume of sewage that entered the receiving waters.

The EPD requires that all Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) report spills; however, EPD does not require POTW's such as the MWA to report overflows. Nevertheless, the MWA's leadership feels that it is beneficial and even necessary to report all overflows to the public and the local health department, in order to exercise an open and transparent form of governance to garner public trust. In addition, reporting all overflows, regardless of their severity, helps protect the safety and health of the general public from the potential hazards associated with raw sewage.

The Macon Water Authority strives to maintain excellence in its Sanitary Sewer Conveyance System -- which has been selected as the state's Collection System of the Year on more than one occasion by the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. By striving for excellence in its sewer system operations, the MWA hopes to lessen the environmental impacts and health hazards resulting from the unintended discharge of raw sewage during SSO events.

MWA customers can always assist the Authority in its endeavors to prevent or reduce SSOs by not pouring grease down the drain and by educating children on the possible dangers of playing around and throwing things into manholes.

Archived spill and/or overflow information can be obtained from the MWA Sewer Conveyance Department.

Spill Notification for Corbin Lift Station on 7/24/2018

Spill Notification for 1701 Walnut Street on 7/18/2018

Spill Advisory for 1701 Walnut Street on 7/18/2018

Overflow Notification for 2460 Pio Nono Avenue on 6/5/2018

Spill Notification for 2141 General Winship Drive on 6/5/2018

Spill Notification for the Riverside Cemetery Lift Station Easement on 5/26/2018

Spill Notification for 600 Guy Paine Road 5/8/2018

Overflow Notification for 262 Riley Avenue on 5/3/2018

Overflow Notification for Riverside Cemetery Lift Station Easement on 5/1/2018

Spill Notification for 4594 Lakewood Avenue on 4/26/2018

Spill Notification for 2840 Pierce Drive South on 4/23/2018