“We have taken samples from upstream and downstream locations for testing,” said Dan Wright, city manager. “The city will remove and properly dispose of the sewage around the manhole.”
Ringgold experienced a similar spill in September of 5-6,000 gallons in the same location.
“The manhole is close to I-75 where Little Chickamauga Creek runs under I-75,” Wright said. “Once we have identified an area where we are having problems, then after it rains we go out and check. Unfortunately, this one is down in a creek bottom so it can be hard to get to.”
Wright stated the overflows are related to I & I, or inflow and infiltration, problems following recent rains.
“I & I problems occur when you have groundwater getting into your sewer system,” he said.
Ringgold has contacted engineer Richard Akin of Welker and Associates for assistance to correct the problem.
“Richard is trying to get an expert in I & I named Billy Brown to come up and do some work with our people and try to find some of the larger contributors of the problem so we can get those corrected immediately,” he said. “We are shooting to have him here first part of January.”
According to Wright, water samples test results are processed in five or six days and are reviewed and kept on file by Robert Burson, Ringgold’s waste water superintendent
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