CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – After a week of raw sewage running across their properties and backing up into their homes, residents on Veronica Court had their prayers answered on Sunday when the sewage stopped overflowing, and cleanup efforts continued into Monday.
Clarksville Gas & Water Department General Manager Mark Riggins told Clarksville Now they began cleaning efforts last week but could only do so much with the sewage continuing to overflow. Now, CGW is set to apply lime and bleach mixtures in the affected areas.
How it happened
Normally, sewage is pumped from these subdivisions, for a journey to the CGW Wastewater Treatment Plant. But Riggins said his department’s pumping capabilities for the Hickory Wild and Farmington subdivisions stopped when stormwater overwhelmed both the wastewater pumping station and the emergency pump serving that area.
“Despite proactive efforts, including the installation of a portable pump to support the station with additional capacity and provide redundancy in the event of power or equipment failure, both units were ultimately submerged and disabled due to unprecedented stormwater levels,” Riggins said.
| MORE: Farmington faces more than flooding: Sewage backup and massive sinkhole plague neighborhood
On Tuesday, April 8, Clarksville Gas & Water completed construction of an additional emergency access point to the sewer system off Tacoma Drive. “With this access point, we deployed a bypass pump and began pumping wastewater from the system shortly thereafter,” Riggins said.
He also said the county contracted an emergency pump team to redirect stormwater from the area, and on Friday, the focus was on lowering water levels around Dunlop Lane, with the anticipation of much-needed relief to the Hickory Wild and Farmington subdivisions.
Riggins said wastewater systems are not completely sealed and often experience stormwater infiltration, especially during extreme weather events. “This infiltration can occur through cracks in pipes, joints, manholes, cleanouts, and other access points. When standing water remains for extended periods, infiltration rates can increase significantly,” he said.
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