Tallahassee: Find a working solution to correct ongoing sewage spills
The recent storm event of April 11th produced almost a dozen sewage overflows across Tallahassee; the largest single-day number ever of individual sewage spills going back to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) 2000 data.
Of these, eight were in the Lake Munson Basin and three in the Lake Lafayette Basin. The volume of spills was not determined at the time of the city’s public notice reports to FDEP. A public records request has been made to the city once the volume amounts have been determined. It is likely to be substantial. A recent article in the Valdosta Times, listed each of their numerous sewage overflows and volumes ranging from 900 gallons to 150,000 gallons. Their sewage processing plant suffered a spill of 6.7 million gallons.
Over the past four years, the Tallahassee Sewage and Wakulla Basin Advocacy Group has had numerous conversations with city staff regarding rain events and subsequent sewage overflows. This resulted in the city using a consultant to conduct Infiltration/Input studies which eventually produced an initial report of 13 high concern areas and numerous medium concern areas in 2021.
Unfortunately, per subsequent records requests and conversations, there has not been much progress to eliminate substantial amounts of outside water (rain events or local ground water) from infiltrating into the sewage collection system. Prior conversations indicate funds are, instead, piggy-backed onto other street improvement and development projects, not related to reducing infiltration/input issues. Our own wastewater engineer estimated approximately 2 million gallons infiltrate into the city’s collection system daily; substantially more during rain events.
An Infiltration/Input Abatement Plan proposal was initiated and apparently approved in June 2023, however, records on the results of this plan have not been received. Numerous areas of concern have been identified by the consultant as needing attention in various ways to prevent sewage overflows.
At the same time, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes that in any large-scale sewage collection, a certain amount of I/I is acceptable. However, on page one of their summary, EPA notes:
“Virtually every sewer system has some infiltration and/or inflow. Historically, small amounts of I&I are expected and tolerated. However, infiltration and inflow may be considered excessive when it is the cause of overflows or bypasses…” Furthermore, “Sewers and treatment facilities are designed around expected average and maximum flows. Excess storm and groundwater entering the sewer system through I&I robs the system of its valuable capacity, puts a burden on operation and maintenance, and reduces the life expectancy of the treatment facility. Sewer surcharging, back-ups, and overflows all require emergency response and contribute to disruption of operations.” (Source: https://www3.epa.gov/region1/sso/pdfs/Guide4EstimatingInfiltrationInflow.pdf)
More: Tallahassee citizens should demand transparency amid rising sewage spill concerns
We call upon city commissioners to review the city’s sewage collection system plans, budget and staff needed to address this historical and on-going infiltration/input issue and reduce related sewage spills which degrade our Class III recreational waters and affects citizens in many negative ways.
J. Terry Ryan is co-founder of the Tallahassee Sewage and Wakulla Basin Advocacy Group.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee: Find a working solution to correct ongoing sewage spills
