TDEC: 'impact of spill still pending'
Following the May 8 sewer line break, which spilled into the North Fork of Turkey Creek, Farragut Alderman Joe LaCroix reached out to State Sen. Dr. Richard Briggs on what state agencies he could contact about the matter.
Briggs, in turn, reached out to the state’s Office of External Affairs and Division of Water Resources.
Emma Ousley, assistant director of Legislative Affairs for the state, responded to Briggs, which he shared with the farragutpress.
“Last Monday, May 11, our Division of Water Resources team responded to a sewer line leak in Farragut and confirmed First Utility District of Knox County repaired the leak by Monday afternoon,” Ousley said.
“The utility placed warning signs and marker tape around the area of Turkey Creek to prevent public access,” Ousley said. “[Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation] informed the utility that warning signs must remain in place until stream samples for E. Coli downstream of the event are comparable to results upstream. This incident should have no impact on the utility’s drinking water system as Turkey Creek’s entry point into
Fort Loudoun Lake is downstream of the drinking water intake.
Ousley said First Utility District had a contractor clearing vegetation from the area the week before the spill.
“The heavy equipment used by the contractor caused a break in the sewer line, which resulted in a release.
“After being notified of the event by the Town and TDEC at 10 a.m. on May 11, First Utility District evaluated and made temporary repairs to the line to stop the release,” Ousley said. “This repair was completed by 3 p.m. on Monday. Trash and debris from the event were cleared from the site.”
She said the release had been stopped, debris cleanup has been completed and warning signs remain in place in the park and along the impacted segment of Turkey Creek.
“Initial stream testing results and the evaluation of impact to aquatic life are still pending,” Ousley said, adding FUD continues daily sampling efforts and TDEC is awaiting updated information.
“Our team believes that the ongoing rainfall should help the area tremendously,” she added.
Regarding LaCroix’s request for a public meeting, Ousley said the Office of External Affairs did not believe it would be particularly beneficial.
“We are, of course, happy to share/provide information,” she said. “However, by the time a public meeting can be organized, this unfortunate event will be resolved.
“TDEC, along with First Utility District, have been providing Farragut with information upon request and will continue to do so,” Ousley said.
She added TDEC is preparing a Notice of Violation for First Utility District, which will include fish kill data from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
Tennessee is waiting on the TWRA before issuing the Notice of Violation.
