Lithonia Area Sewer Spill Contained

DECATUR, Ga. — DeKalb County workers and emergency contractor crews contained a major sewer spill Saturday at Snapfinger Creek in the unincorporated Lithonia area.

Crews repaired a concrete junction box which was damaged by a 16-inch-diameter tree growing out of it and causing the spill. In addition to the repair, workers installed two temporary, redundant bypass systems at the creek crossing.

Full containment of the spill was achieved Aug. 26 at 4:15 p.m. Department of Watershed Management (DWM) workers are in the process of assessing the estimated size of the spill.

“Our crews have been working around the clock to repair this system and contain the spill,” DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond said. “We will now turn our attention to permanent repairs and the regular inspection and maintenance of our sewer infrastructure.”

In addition to inspecting all pipes along Snapfinger Creek, CEO Thurmond has directed DWM staff to conduct emergency inspections of all creek crossings in the county.

The spill was discovered on Aug. 23 near Eagle’s Beek Circle, Lithonia, on a 54-inch creek crossing just north of the Snapfinger Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The county continues to warn residents in this area to avoid the spill site and keep their pets from the waterway until further notice. The spill does not affect drinking water.

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