Spills and overflows reduced by nearly 40% last year when compared to 2020
To strengthen its plan of attack to reduce and prevent sanitary sewer spills and overflows (SSO’s), the MWA commissioned an annual review of its sewer conveyance system, with results presented at the Authority’s September board meeting.
The MWA has experienced a steady decline in SSO’s since 2020, when these events peaked at just over 100 for that year. In 2023, however, the Authority experienced a reduction to 66 total sewer system spills and overflows, which included 43 spills and 23 overflows.
A sanitary sewer “spill” is an event when sewage escapes from the conveyance system and enters waters of the state, while an “overflow” is an event in which sewage escapes from the conveyance system but is contained before reaching a water body.
Some of the leading causes of SSO’s include grease entering the system through MWA customer homes (27% of those events in 2023), roots, hydraulic issues, a combination of more than one factor, and others. The instances when the MWA experiences SSO’s strongly correlates with heavy rainfall, when inflow and infiltration of storm water can stress the system.
Some of the methods used by the MWA to prevent SSO’s include ongoing maintenance, which features cleaning, clearing, and televising sewer lines, as well as rehab and repair of manhole covers. Public education on proper disposal of grease and non-dispersible items, such as rags and wet wipes, also has seen positive results. In addition, root control with the use of chemicals has been effective in keeping roots from intruding into sewer lines, without harming the health of the trees.
According to Authority officials, the 2024 MWA Bond Issue will provide funds to address many sewer line rehab and replacement projects, which in turn will aid the MWA’s efforts to reduce and prevent SSO’s in the future.
Article Written By: Chris Wood, JWA Public Communications
Press Contact
Rachad Hollis- Communication Specialist
Macon Water Authority
Phone: (478) 464-5600
Email: rhollis@maconwater.org