|
Friday’s storm causes sewage spill
By Rose Hooper
The severe storm that hit Sylva on Friday (July 9) caused the discharge of 84,000 gallons of untreated wastewater from Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority’s treatment plant on North River Road, said TWSA Director Hugh Montgomery.
“The power went out around 6:30 p.m., and our auxiliary generator kicked on,” he said. “The generator ran for four hours, then it shut down, probably due to high-engine temperature.”
To keep the pumps from flooding, plant operators opened the manhole outside the fence shortly after 10:30 p.m., Montgomery said.
“We couldn’t move water any other way,” he said.
Approximately 84,000 gallons of untreated wastewater spilled into the Tuckasegee River before power was restored to the plant at 12:30 a.m. Saturday ( July 10), according to Montgomery.
“We’re not exactly sure why our auxiliary generator quit; it’s a heavy-duty diesel and should operate 24/7 so we’re having it looked at,” Montgomery said.
|
