Updated: Sanitary Sewer Overflows Now Contained; Water Quality Monitoring Continues

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Several HRSD pump stations, including the Suffolk Pump Station on Saunders Drive, and the York River Treatment Plant in Seaford experienced sanitary sewer overflows resulting from the significant rainfall received throughout the HRSD service region and the elevated water levels in area waterways brought on by the remnants of Hurricane Sally moving through southeastern Virginia late last week.

Crews working at the Suffolk Pump Station were able to stop the overflow into Shingle Creek by late afternoon on Friday, September 18. High pressures due to increased flows entering the system locked out the station’s pumps and the standby pump onsite failed, resulting in a wastewater spill of approximately 2.5 million gallons. The Suffolk pump station and gravity sewer were originally built in the 1970s and are slated for replacement. The project is currently in design and tentatively scheduled to begin construction in early 2021.

Crews at the York River Treatment Plant in Seaford successfully established multiple bypass pumps to stop the wastewater spill into Back Creek by Saturday afternoon. They continue working to repair the 60-inch line that collapsed due to areas of internal corrosion within the pipe. Approximately 6.8 million gallons of wastewater were lost.

HRSD continues to work closely with the Virginia Department of Health - Division of Shellfish Safety (VDH) in coordinating monitoring at the impacted sites, including Shingle Creek and the Nansemond River in Suffolk and Back Creek in York County. The Division of Shellfish Safety issued temporary closures to shellfish harvesting at both locations and adjacent waterways. More information, including a map of the affected areas can be found here.

 

Residents should continue to avoid contact and use of the waters of Shingle Creek in Suffolk and Back Creek in Seaford until further notice. 

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Should you have any questions or comments, you may contact:

Media Contact:

Leila Rice, APR – 757.460.7056
Director of Communications
lrice@hrsd.com