More than 6,600 gallons of sewage spilled from a manhole in Lawrenceville on Thursday, with some sewage entering a nearby creek.
The spill began around 12:47 p.m., when the Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources was alerted. Crews stopped the spill at 2:35 p.m., after 6,616 gallons had spilled. Sewage entered Pew Creek, prompting the department to notify the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
The spill was caused by wipes, paper and other products, according to a department release. Some products that are marketed as “flushable,” including bathroom wipes, may not properly disintegrate in sewage systems, building up and causing clogs and spills.
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. Exposure to raw sewage generally poses the risk of diseases and infections including gastro-enteritis and E. coli.
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