DeKalb County: Major sewage spill reported in Brookhaven
A broken pipe created a major sewage spill in Brookhaven this week that polluted public waterways, according to DeKalb County's government.
County officials warned residents Friday to stay away from the waterway until further notice.
The spill occurred near Nancy Creek and Mill Creek Road. The county reported the spill Thursday to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
The spill was caused by a 10-inch diameter pipe that broke when erosion wore away soil that was supporting it, according to the county.
County workers are making repairs, and the extent of the spill is still being evaluated. It’s unclear how many gallons of sewage were spilled.
DeKalb is under a federal court order to upgrade its sewer system and reduce frequent spills.
The county has paid $924,000 in fines for spills to state and federal environmental regulatory agencies since 2011.
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The AJC's Mark Niesse keeps you updated on the latest happenings in DeKalb County government and politics. You'll find more on myAJC.com, including these stories:
- Sewage spills spike in DeKalb but officials say county is on track
- DeKalb official blows whistle on Chamblee Mercy Care clinic's approval
- Disputes over DeKalb water bills continue as residents await relief
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About the Author
Mark Niesse is an enterprise reporter and covers elections and Georgia government for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is considered an expert on elections and voting. Before joining the AJC, he worked for The Associated Press in Atlanta, Honolulu and Montgomery, Alabama. He also reported for The Daily Report and The Santiago Times in Chile.
