I think if these "spills" had been flowing into the streets of Valdosta, it would have stopped long ago.
For years millions of gallons of raw untreated human feces (and all the other stuff people flush down their toilets) have been dumped into our rivers by the Withlacoochee sewage plant.
They prefer to see words though like "spill" "leak" "over flow" and "human error" put it however you want. Its free dumping. Down the river, out of sight, out of mind, and nothing out of your pocket in fines. And think of all the money you save too, not treating all that sewage! Go to their website and they cant brag enough how STATE OF THE ART their facility is... even offering tours! If this raw sewage continued to flow by the millions into their city, as it does our rivers, how quick would a state of emergency be declared as an environmental and human health risk! How quick would they move into action with engineers and other city help. Well, Valdosta, we are the ones facing the environmental crisis and health risk. The fish and other wildlife that depend on these waters are suffering the contamination. Years of your dumping could one day end out way of life here too.
Right now our community as well as many other areas, pose an extreme health risk. Blue Ridge Landings is within a mile of Blue Springs State Park and Nestles Water bottling plant.
Our beautiful well water is now unsafe. Its tests positive for ecoli contamination. We aren't even suppose to brush our teeth in this stuff. Many serious diseases can be contracted form contact and drinking.
We were posted by the Madison County Health Dept. my husband contacted the regional EPA in Georgia. We have refereed to another department, left a message with them stating we had photos which may be of interest (our advisory signs). A woman named "Ayls Hannum" called us back, we emailed photos to her the response was we aren't aware of whats going on in Florida. They are responsible for over-site there and currently investigating code violations on Chattahoochee plant operations. She stated "She does not know what is going in Madison County and suggested I call MCHD to speak with them about it". She further stated that "it couldn't be from their recent spill because it would have dissipated way before it ever got to our area. She said it likely from run off with the rains from cattle ranches or farm fertilizer." She then stated "she would get with MCHD to look into the cause." We then forwarded this article to her: https://www.wtxl.com/news/local-news/fdh-extends-health-advisory-to-multiple-big-bend-counties-following-sewage-spill posted JAN. 9, 2020.
She did confirm that the plant is in violations with warnings pending fines. She has offered her services for any further questions or updates through her email.
I hear Valdosta is booming in this great economy. Some are better see to it they build enough new plants and fix the one they have. They seen to have a problem with capacity now!!! Blaming rain for over flows, for millions more gallons of raw sewage dumping into our river. Take out some of that grass around your plant and put in more tanks to take on the problem. Get your engineers focused. Fix it. We've had enough.
Sandra Santos
Blue Ridge Landings
Lee, Florida