Repairs to a collapsed sewer line discovered in downtown Sylva Sept. 27 began Monday (Oct. 7) in an effort to stop untreated wastewater from contaminating Scotts Creek near Grindstaff Cove Road. With assistance from Stillwell Enterprises, Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority crews are replacing 150 feet of an 8-inch sewer line between the Main Street fountain and the former Highlands Cleaners, said TWSA Executive Director Jerry King. Traffic is expected to be detoured today (Thursday) and tomorrow, if necessary, according to TWSA board Chairman Mickey Luker. Officials had no way of determining how much raw sewage spilled into Scotts Creek before repairs began, King said. "In the past we've been able to do something when a pipe was overflowing, but this was a broken line that had to be replaced," he said. "It's a bad thing, but replacing the pipe is the only way to fix the problem." TWSA has experienced at least three reportable sewage spills in recent years, the largest being 150,000 gallons that entered the Tuckaeigee River between Dillsboro and Webster in 2000. That spill resulted after a pump at TWSA's main treatment plant failed. Cost of repairs in downtown Sylva this week were estimated at $20,000, King said. - Herald photo by Lisa Majors-Duff
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