SPRINGFIELD — Tests indicate that a Feb. 20 force-main break between Shadowbrook and the City of Springfield's watewater treatment plant did not effect Ebenezer Creek.
Springfield officials immediately notified the Georgia Environmental Protection Division of the sewage spill and the city dispatched crews to prevent additonal releases.
The spill was detected at approximately 3:30 p.m. and the repair was completed by 9:30 p.m. the same day.
Initial assessments provided no indication that the spill made its way into Ebenezer Creek. The city was required to serve public notices of the spill — they were posted Friday — and they indicated that it had reached the creek.
Testing on the creek began Feb. 21 and all results have been normal for fecal coliform, dissolved oxygen, ph and temperature.
The cause of the break is unknown. Nothing at the wastewater treatment plant failed but a design flaw in the headworks allowed its influent flow to feed back into the force-main and be released. Modifications to correct the flaw will be completed by Friday.
In a news release, Springfield City Manager Brett Bennett said, "The health of Ebenezer Creek is of the City's utmost concern, and the City will remain diligent in its efforts to protect this important natural resource and provide the public with the most up-to-date information available. The City will continue to monitor the stream through additional testing indefinitely and will take any steps necessary to protect the environment, and specifically Ebenezer Creek."