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Sewage spill pollutes creeks
Dominion Virginia Power project causes sewage spill in Aquia Creek
Date published: 6/4/2009
By RUSTY DENNEN A 23,000-gallon sewage spill into Aquia Creek and Austin Run temporarily raised fecal bacteria levels. But because the streams in northern Stafford County are already on Virginia's list of impaired waters, it's unclear how much the May 20 spill affected water quality, officials say. A contractor working on a substation for a new Dominion Virginia Power transmission line struck the 12-inch main for the county's Aquia Bridge Pump Station along Aquia Drive near Channel Cove. Dan Genest, a spokesman for the utility, said the location of the line was improperly marked by the county before the digging began. "We had to replace about 63 feet of line and had to turn the pump station off," Stafford Utilities Director Harry Critzer said yesterday. "To minimize the overflow, we called in four [pump] trucks with Marshall septic service and our 6,000-gallon tanker." IMPACT HARD TO JUDGE Critzer said water samples taken from the two streams after the spill found elevated bacteria levels one day, and within acceptable limits the next. Therefore, "It's difficult to determine the impact," Critzer said, in light of the fact that the waterways are already impaired. Bill Perry, environmental health manager for the Rappahannock Area Health District, said any impact on public health is minimal because swimming is not recommended in impaired waters. Stafford County Spokeswoman Cathy Riddle said the Aquia Property Owners Association today would be getting a fact sheet on the incident, and directing residents to a Virginia Department of Health pamphlet, "Safely Enjoying Virginia's Natural Waters." Virginia Department of Environmental Quality water monitoring has found thousands of miles of rivers and streams in Virginia are impaired. That means they are unable to support any or all of six categories of use--aquatic life, fishing, shell fishing, swimming, public-water supplies and wildlife. The Stafford streams made the list in 2006 and 2008 because E. coli bacteria associated with human waste were found in water samples. Mark Miller, pollution response coordinator with DEQ, said the agency received several calls from Stafford residents about the spill. Miller said recent rains and tidal action in Aquia Creek have diluted any bacterial contamination. DEQ has a link on its Web site for reporting pollution. Miller's department examines the reports and investigates when necessary. Rusty Dennen: 540/374-5431
Date published: 6/4/2009
The Potomac is loaded with feces and whatever else DC flushes
(posted by
Mandrake
, June 5, 2009 10:09 am)
and no one seems to care about it. It is Virginia's
most polluted river. I used to put out some crab pots
in front of my place and harvest a few meals now and
then. Now I don't even go into the river for fear my skin
will peel off.
I agree
(posted by
larryg
, June 5, 2009 6:39 am)
and I think FLS is complicit is this less than honest
approach to the impacts of a sewage spill.
Shame on FLS and the reporter.
You don't have to be swimming in this creek to possibly be
affected... you could be walking along side of it and dip
your hands it ... or fishing or taking your dog for a walk and
he goes swimming in it.
it's things like this - the way this was handled - that
undercuts the message of "everyone needs to do their part
to protect the Bay". (except local govts with excuses).
Liars liars, pants on fire
(posted by
Grumpy1
, June 4, 2009 9:57 pm)
What isn't said here, is that the spill report initially made things seem minor. Lies about actions taken etc. Whoever was involved in the attempted cover up should be changes with Obstruction. They should never have let residents drive through the waste, and they should have immediately informed the residents. This did not come to light until it was brought to a member of the county board's attention.
Impaired : are there signs?
(posted by
infizon
, June 4, 2009 6:02 pm)
"Bill Perry, environmental health manager for the Rappahannock Area Health District, said any impact on public health is minimal because swimming is not recommended in impaired waters.".
Like..people are aware that the stream is impaired? Are there signs informing residents of this situation??
Its "difficult" to judge the impact since its all ready impaired? Common sense would say...the sewer spill made it WORSE. But more rain diluted it and sent it on its way to the Chesapeake Bay.
something stinks
(posted by
blitzburgh
, June 4, 2009 7:28 am)
no wonder there is no oysters or crabs! What animal could live in poop water?
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