A sewage spill occurred at the city of Hinesville/Fort Stewart Regional Water Pollution Control Plant on Aug. 9. An estimated 100,000 gallons of sewage entered a Taylors Creek tributary due to a pipe blockage and recent heavy rains.

Hinesville officials reported the spill to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, which directed the city to conduct water testing and post signs along affected areas of Taylors Creek. Stream monitoring is ongoing per Georgia EPD guidelines. Samples are being tested for dissolved oxygen, fecal coliform, pH and temperature.
The leak was reported Aug. 10 to installation officials. Fort Stewart Directorate of Public Work employees assisted the city in plugging the leak and stopping the release of sewage into the creek. The city, with support from Fort Stewart, used lime to clean the affected areas.

Although the spill does not pose a health or safety risk, Hinesville City Manager Billy Edwards cautioned residents against fishing or swimming in Taylors Creek while officials continue to monitor the spill.

Hinesville Public Relations Manager Krystal Britton said the city will monitor the creek for the next few weeks. Britton said monitoring was conducted once an hour the first 24 hours after the spill and now is being conducted once a day. After the first week of monitoring is up, officials will monitor the creek once a week for a month and finally once a month for a year, she said.

“Samples will be sent to the state EPD,” Britton said.

She added that the city and Fort Stewart will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.

Hinesville’s wastewater treatment plant is on Fort Stewart by Georgia permit and under an Army service contract that began in 1986. The plant serves people in Hinesville and on Fort Stewart.