Massive Smyrna Spill Sends Sewage Into Stewart's Creek

SMYRNA, TN -- Several thousand gallons of sewage poured into Stewart's Creek in Smyrna over the weekend as two main breaks caused what may have been the largest sewage spill in the state's history.

Friday night, Sam Ridley Parkway began icing over with what was later determined to be wastewater and crews discovered a 12-inch sewer line ruptured, but after that break was repaired, those crews found another ruptured line, which sent sewage spilling out of manholes along Sam Ridley.

By the time it was all said and done, more than 250,000 gallons of sewage were transported from the manholes to the city's treatment facility, but, nevertheless, thousands gallons more made it into Stewart's Creek, a tributary of the Stones River and Percy Priest Lake.

Premier Protective Service's Matt Church told WKRN vacuuming, dams, dikes and booms were able to control and contain the flow in the creek and the town's fire chief said there were no indications of harm to wildlife.

Crews spread lime near the first break and in the park to kill bacteria and removed grass and topsoil Monday. Volunteer Park and the walking trails are closed until all the repairs and mitigation are complete.

Water samples will be sent to the state and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will conduct further inspections.

Photo by J.R. Lind, Patch staff