Valdosta Raw Sewage Spill Brings Outpour of Action from NCFRC
By Carol A. Gasser Moore
LOWNDES COUNTY, Georgia – Once again raw sewage spills, which originate in the Valdosta area, is making the news! Following an April 12 raw sewage spill, citizens with the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council (NCFRPC) have begun an effort to reactivate their group. It was previously known as the Middle and Lower Suwannee River and Withlacoochee River Task Force, until the group became inactive. These citizens began their re-activation effort May 23.
The NCFRC is encompasses 12 Florida county commissioners. The mobilization effort endeavors to collaborate with Georgia state and local authorities. The overall NCFRPC goal is to improve wastewater infrastructure and reduce river contaminants.
Groups such as NCFRC help their state and its communities along rivers, effectively solve the problems of dealing with contaminated water. Sometimes group members respond to unusual water color which indicates a problem. In this recent spill, the water was described as being a “warm shade of tangerine” which is unusual for clean natural waterways. At other times, they may respond to the results of a water test.
NCFRPC and other group members often get involved with learning the art of water testing. In many cases their water testing may contribute data into a state’s information system. States and university systems generally monitor water quality overall. When taking the water testing training, volunteers learn about thriving E. Coli colonies, which are documented on water quality test plates.
The NCFRPC was originally created in 2018. Two years after its inception it became dormant, until now. The decreased sewage leak incidents seemed to correlate with the installation of an improved Valdosta wastewater catch basin. The additional effort by the City of Valdosta to maintain clean water changed due to heavy rain over the last few months.
As the Lanier County News (LCN) has learned, during the days leading to the April 12 sewage spill, the rain unleashed 6.7 million gallons of liquid from the basin — including about 1.3 million gallons of raw sewage — sending offensive of E. coli across the Georgia – Florida state lines. This, in turn, went through Florida’s network of interconnected waterways and was noticed.
Both the NCFRPC and the WWALS organizations speak to the fact that Valdosta has had a history of a number of major sewage spills. Those spills have contaminated the Withlacoochee River, which then flows south into the Suwannee River. Once in the Suwannee River, the sewage contaminated water then flows through the heart of the north Florida region.
In Georgia, the WWALS Watershed Coalition Is the Suwannee Riverkeeper, and the organization regularly posts information on their website at wwals.net/.
These organizations are particularly important to the regional area, since the natural resources provide many recreational activities – fishing, boating, kayaking, swimming, etc. In Florida, there are additional draws such as the crystal-clear springs which bring many tourists to both view and swim in the springs. These natural geographic recreational areas support area economies in both Georgia and Florida. Water contamination, especially from frequent sewage spills, has a direct economic loss when the environmental damage becomes known. People resist going to affected areas, because they do not want to get in the water. Fewer visitors cause less money being spent within the communities around those water features.
The Suwannee River has begun to be labeled as being “dirty”, especially as water quality testing reveals spikes in E. Coli bacteria. This contributes to the problems faced by companies, as well as many small businesses, who derive a large portion of their income from those georgraphic water features.
The NCFRPC is working to lobby their state’s legislature in Tallahassee. This is similar to the efforts that have been ongoing in Georgia through organizations such as WWALS. This means that both Florida and Georgia organizations and state natural resource departments are partnering in an effort to address the spillage problems, especially those that have been documented as originating in Valdosta. Generally, every effort is being made to strengthen wastewater treatment infrastructure in light of the most recent raw sewage spill.
WWALS Suwannee Riverkeepers, and the Middle and Lower Suwannee River and Withlacoochee River Task Force’s reactivation will help Valdosta center its attention, solve sewage problems, and better protect natural resources.
“It’s bad for wildlife, it’s bad for plants and it’s bad for people, who are swimming in the water,” Suwannee Riverkeeper John Quarterman said. “One gallon of sewage in the Suwannee River is one gallon too many.”
With the appointment of a new Valdosta City Manager, the WWALS organization is hopeful that the City of Valdosta will continue to make significant strides to address the sewage problems. Valodsta has allocated $67 million toward preventative pipeline repairs and other sewage issues with the approval of the new city budget.
The WWALS Watershed Coalition, Inc. advocates for the entire Suwannee River Basin, including the Georgia and Florida interconnected stretch of the Alapaha, Ichetucknee, Santa Fe and Withlacoochee, Rivers. The nonprofit was formed in 2012 in response to Valdosta sewage and pollution.
Not only does high bacteria affect the Alapaha, Ichetucknee, Sante Fe and Withlacoochee Rivers, but there is a remaining threat of contaminated water seeping through the Suwannee River Basin’s porous limestone and sandy soil foundation and on into community wells as it travels its way to the Gulf of Mexico. Riverkeepers know well that coming into contact with or ingesting water high in bacterial E. Coli from raw sewage can cause severe illness, posing a heightened risk for vulnerable individuals.
