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October 20, 2010
Officials continue to monitor Turkey Creek area
GULFPORT — A sewer line, about 12 feet below ground, broke and sewage began to leak Thursday afternoon near Louisiana Avenue.
The Harrison County Utility Authority and the state Department of Environmental Quality were immediately notified.
City, county and state officials went to the area and began digging below in search of the leak. Meantime, valves that control the flow to the line were shut off to contain the leaking material.
Workers reached the leak and built containment walls around the pipe. City vacuum trucks were deployed to remove what sewage had leaked from the cracked pipe.
Officials believe the old pipe was struck by some type of heavy construction equipment many years ago and over time the crack weakened and finally failed.
“We want to thank all of those who were involved in quickly stopping this leak and cleaning up the spill,” Mayor George Schloegel said. “We do not believe that there was any major or significant amounts of material that leaked from the line and that is because of the rapid response.”
A volunteer cleanup that was organized to remove litter and debris from around Turkey Creek on Saturday was canceled, and as a precaution, Mayor Schloegel said the city and other agencies are urging the public to stay away from the creek and avoid swimming or fishing for the next few days while workers continue to monitor the area.
Mayor Schloegel thanked MDEQ, the Harrison County Utility Authority, Gulfport Public Works, Southwest Water and others for the swift response and effort to contain the spill and seal the pipe.
Office of Public Information - rlafontaine@gulfport-ms.gov - Phone: 228-868-5782
P.O. Box 1780 Gulfport, MS 39502-1780 - FAX: 868-5800
