Town of Centerville officials began notifying the public Tuesday, July 31, that wet weather has caused an overflow of sewage into the Nolandfork Creek south of the abandoned railway bridge.
Residents shouldn’t swim or drink the water downstream from the discharge point for 72 hours.
Those who do come into contact with the water in the urban waterway should make the assumption the water is contaminated, and wash their hands or use waterless hand sanitizer before eating, drinking, smoking or preparing food. At all times, avoid getting water from urban waterways in your eyes or mouth.
According to a notice sent July 31, combined sewers in the town may overflow anytime during the next several hours or days.
Combined sewers transport stormwater, domestic waste and industrial wastewater all in one pipe to be treated at the wastewater treatment plant. During periods of heavy rainfall or when snow is melting rapidly, a combined sewer can become overloaded and overflow from a combined sewer overflow outlet.
During a substantial rainfall or snow melt event the combined sewers are not able to handle and treat the additional flow, causing untreated flow to be released from the system at the combined sewer overflow discharge point.
To learn more, contact the town’s wastewater plant operator at (765) 855-5515.