City of Tybee Island reports third sewage spill in the same spot this summer

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (WTOC) - The City of Tybee announced another sewage spill after heavy rain Saturday.

“A total of 5.39 inches of rain fell on soils already saturated with nearly 2 feet of rain that have fallen thus far this month, creating an extremely high water table on the island,” wrote the City of Tybee Island.

The city said these conditions encouraged rainwater to “infiltrate” Tybee’s sanitary sewer system through breaks, slipped joints and laterals on private properties.

Despite efforts, a mixture of mainly stormwater mixed with wastewater spilled from manholes at Jones Avenue, 8th Street and other nearby locations into Horsepen Creek.

The city said an estimated 40,000 gallons spilled from the manholes. They said this is the third spill at this location just this summer.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Around 24,000 gallons of sewage and stormwater enter creek on Tybee
• Around 10,300 gallons of stormwater, sewage enter marsh area following sewer overflow, says Tybee Island officials

The city called it a, “the result of historically high rainfall totals and an aged sanitary sewer system that is receiving sustained capital investment for the first time in decades.”

Now, sandbags are there to help mitigate the spill, and agencies such as the Georgia Environmental Protection Division and the Heath Department, were notified per State guidelines.

The city detailed everything they have done following the last sewage spill on August 9, see below: