Grease, Disposable Diapers and Wipes to Blame for Recent Sewer Spill

DECATUR, Ga.—DeKalb County Watershed crews are cleaning up a Feb. 18 sewer spill in a Clarkston lake and are continuing remediation and restoration efforts.

The spill, at a lake on Cleavemark Drive in Clarkston, was caused by a blockage of grease, disposable diapers and wipes in an eight-inch sewer line. The blockage caused a 5,300-gallon sewage overflow from a manhole.

Watershed crews stopped the spill an hour after notification by pressure-washing the sewer line to remove the blockage and restore flow in the area.

Additionally, a pump was installed to aerate the lake and dead fish were removed.

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division and Georgia Wildlife Resources Division were notified of the spill.

Approximately 60 percent of sanitary sewer overflows in DeKalb County are caused by fats, oils and grease being poured down sink drains.

DeKalb County continues to work to reduce sanitary sewer overflows, and residents and businesses play an important partnership role.

Residents can help keep fats, oils and grease out of our pipes and sewers by:

• Putting cooled fats, oils and grease into the trash;
• Scraping food scraps from plates and cookware before washing; and
• Wiping excess grease from all dishes with a paper towel before washing.

For more information, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/watershed-management/fats-oils-and-grease-fog.

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