Minor sewage spills in the city of Savannah this year have surpassed the total number of spills in 2011.
Water and sewer crews responded Friday afternoon to an estimated 390-gallon spill on Cloverdale Drive.
All 10 of this year’s spills, which have released an estimated 3,600 gallons, still fall well below the single-spill benchmark of 10,000 gallons the state’s Environmental Protection Division considers a major spill.
The spills have sent sewage bubbling onto streets, ditches and, in one case, into a ditch flowing to the Vernon River. That spill, in April, prompted the city to post spill notifications at the Bell Street Montgomery Boat Ramp and to do bacteriological sampling upstream and downstream.
Savannah is the only municipality in Chatham County operating under a consent order from the EPD. In January, the city agreed to pay a $23,750 fine to the EPD for discharging sewage into state waters.
Savannah still rates comparatively well to other similar cities. Augusta and Columbus have paid fines this year of $45,402 and $150,000.
Friday’s spill is believed to have been caused by a grease blockage in a sewer main, which backed into the line connecting to a home on Cloverdale. The spill spread to a neighboring ditch, which was pumped up by city workers.
Grease, which hardens and blocks pipes, has been a major culprit thwarting the city’s efforts to reduce spills.