Metro Atlanta
Metro Atlanta

Wipes, paper cause sewage to spill into Gwinnett creek tributary

Fulton County will reimburse Roswell about $1 million to relocate a manhole, fire hydrant, water valves and other equipment for the Hardscrabble Green Loop project.
Fulton County will reimburse Roswell about $1 million to relocate a manhole, fire hydrant, water valves and other equipment for the Hardscrabble Green Loop project.
By Amanda C. Coyne
Jan 26, 2017

More than 5,800 gallons of sewage spilled from a manhole in Norcross on Thursday due to wipes and other debris, the Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources said.

The leak started around 11:25 a.m. on  Meadowbrook Drive and was stopped by 1 p.m. Some of the sewage got into an unnamed tributary of Jackson Creek, a department spokeswoman said.

Trending Gwinnett news: Son kept in basement for 18 months testifies as Wimbush trial begins

The department raked the area and spread lime to mitigate the effects of the spill. Signs were also posted to notify residents. Exposure to raw sewage can cause illnesses and bacterial infections including E. coli.

The water department urges Gwinnett County residents to stop treating their toilets like trash cans and put garbage into the proper waste receptacles.

Like Gwinnett County News on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter and Instagram

About the Author

Amanda Coyne is a hyperlocal reporter for the AJC, covering Gwinnett County.

Follow Amanda C. Coyne on facebookFollow Amanda C. Coyne on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

It's time to break out the hats, jackets and scarves, as temperatures in metro Atlanta are expected to reach freezing for the first time since February. (Ben Hendren for the AJC 2025)

Credit: Ben Hendren

Cold front bringing first widespread freeze of the season this week

Metro Atlanta should see temperatures in the low 20s Monday and Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

1h ago

With SNAP benefits in limbo, Atlanta residents step up to help

With SNAP benefits in limbo after a late-Friday Supreme Court decision, many metro Atlanta residents are putting their own money toward supporting those affected.

Arctic blast bringing cold shot to metro Atlanta, snow possible in mountains

Temperatures across North Georgia will plunge early next week and could even bring a taste of snow to the state’s tallest mountains.

The Latest

It's time to break out the hats, jackets and scarves, as temperatures in metro Atlanta are expected to reach freezing for the first time since February. (Ben Hendren for the AJC 2025)

Credit: Ben Hendren

Cold front bringing first widespread freeze of the season this week

1h ago
OPINION

Gridlock Guy: Atlanta traffic study shows way more than the headlines say

With SNAP benefits in limbo, Atlanta residents step up to help

Featured

Passengers wait at a Delta check-in counter at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. It was the first day the Federal Aviation Administration cut flight capacity at airports during the government shutdown. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Prolonged shutdown could force 20% flight cuts, U.S. officials warn

The Federal Aviation Administration started reducing flights Friday at 40 major airports, which includes Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

With SNAP benefits in limbo, Atlanta residents step up to help

With SNAP benefits in limbo after a late-Friday Supreme Court decision, many metro Atlanta residents are putting their own money toward supporting those affected.

Study: Rents for low-wage Atlantans rose 9 times faster than for high earners

Rents for suburban workforce housing in the metro Atlanta region increased by almost 20%, while rents for luxury units increased by 2%, a study said.