Debris and grease caused 1,650 gallons of sewage to spill from a manhole in Gwinnett County, the county Department of Water Resources said.
Paper, wipes and other products were the primary culprits, according to a release. The spill started on Johns Way in Lilburn on Wednesday afternoon, with the Gwinnett County Department of Water Services responding shortly after 4:45 p.m. The spill was stopped at 6 p.m.
Some of the sewage entered an unnamed tributary of Beaver Ruin Creek, the department said.
There have been two other sewage spills in Gwinnett County in the past week.
The Department of Water Services warns against using “flushable” wipes and flushing other products down the toilet. That debris can cause sewage spills by accumulating and blocking pipes.
The department raked the area and spread lime in order to mitigate the effects of the spill. Signs were posted to alert residents to the spill and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division was notified. Exposure to raw sewage generally poses the risk of diseases and infections including gastro-enteritis and E. coli.
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