Sewage spill contaminates Fallbrook Creek

About 6,000 gallons of sewage spilled into a storm drain that feeds into Fallbrook Creek, prompting a contamination warning Saturday, a utility official said.

The spill, which occurred at 504 E Alvarado St., was caused by rags that clogged the main sewage pipeline, said Kyle Drake, a foreman with the Fallbrook Public Utility District (FPUD).

The spill was reported at 8:30 a.m., and sewage flowed for about two hours until a crew from FPUD was able to clear out the blockage, said David Horn, the FPUD operations manager.

“The rags may have become attached or bound to something, causing the blockage,” explained Horn. “When that happens, the sewage looks for another exit point, which was the access pipeline.”

A sewer rodder truck was used to break the sewage flow and get the flow to route back into its pipe, and whatever sewage remained was cleaned up as best as possible.

“The stoppage was cleared immediately, but the spill lasted for about an hour,” said Horn, who stated that contamination warnings were posted downstream from the spill at Fallbrook Creek.

There is a trouble spot that FPUD workers routinely take care of in the area near the spill.

“There is a section of flat line in that area that may be more prone to leaks,” said Horn. “Lines are supposed to be at a certain percent grade, but these particular lines are flatter due to elevation.”

FPUD officials have stated that workers cleaned up all sewage possible.

“Anything we can do to clean it up has already been accomplished,” said Keith Lewinger, FPUD general manager.

(previous story follows)

FALLBROOK - About 6,000 gallons of sewage spilled into a storm drain that feeds into Fallbrook Creek, prompting a contamination warning Saturday, a utility official said.

The spill at 504 E Alvarado St. was caused by rags that clogged the main sewage pipeline, said Kyle Drake, a foreman with the Fallbrook Public Utility District.

The spill was reported at 8:30 a.m., and sewage flowed for about two hours until a crew from FPUD was able to clear out the blockage, he said.

Contamination warnings were posted downstream from the spill, he said.

Story to follow.