With the threat of heavy rain Thursday and through the weekend, Decatur Utilities is notifying residents that sewage overflows are expected. Areas where sewage overflows have occurred in the past are the most likely to be affected.
Brindwood Lane Southeast in Point Mallard Estates is one of the places where sewage overflows have been an issue. Drive down the cul-de-sac on that road and you’ll find the manhole where it has happened. Neighbors there told WZDX off-camera that they’re concerned about the overflows.
One family, who declined to talk on camera, said they’ve seen overflows happen here, and they’re concerned because their kids play in that area and don’t want them to get sick. One of the homeowners also said he reached out to Decatur Utilities and Mayor Tab Bowling — asking about a long term and short term solution to the overflow problem.
Decatur Utilities told this homeowner — and has also said in a statement to the news media Thursday morning — that areas where overflows happen are cleaned and disinfected. The homeowner said lime is what Decatur Utilities told him the affected areas are cleaned with.
Decatur Utilities said in the statement that rain-induced sewage overflows are heavily diluted by rainwater. They’re warning folks to avoid coming into contact with an overflow and say to wash with soap and water if it touches your skin.
“Tennessee Riverkeeper has heard from a lot of local citizens,” said David Whiteside, Founder of Riverkeeper, a group who has been working to keep local waterways clean. “Almost everyone is concerned about this. It doesn’t matter whether they’re Republican or Democrat, or rich or poor, everyone knows that sewage is disgusting and its a threat to public health, and its the talk of Decatur right now.”
He said it’s not a new issue — but one that started decades ago — and continues.
“The politicians that are in charge right now didn’t make these bad decisions that are impacting Decatur, decades ago, so we know they’re not at fault,” explained Whiteside. “But when they refuse to acknowledge the problem, and talk to the public and talk to the press, they’re continuing to sweep these problems under the rug, and they’re only going to get worse.”
Decatur Utilities said in the statement they have been aggressively addressing sewage overflows over the past 10 years and has spent more than $60 million on sanitary sewer system improvements. They also said they’re committed to continuing the improvements to prevent and stop future overflows.
WZDX reached out to Mayor Tab Bowling for comment and found that he is referring any questions from the news media on the topic of sewage overflows to Decatur Utilities.
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