Company To Pay For Sewer Repair Costs/Penalties.
Rome Water and Sewer Committee members discussed last week’s 25,000 gallon sewer spill in Burwell creek Tuesday at their regular meeting.
Rome water and sewer authorities traced the cause of the spill back to Hopkins Chemical on Hermitage Road. The company uses a poultry byproduct to produce bio-diesel fuel. Apparently some chicken fat had made its way through their system and clogged the pipe.
City Commissioner Buzz Wachstetter and Wright Bagby both agreed Hopkins should be responsible for all costs incurred in the repair as well as any fines.
According to City Manager John Bennett, “There could be substantial fines incurred due to a fish kill”. Bennett says from conversations with the company, it is his understanding that they are prepared to pay for any fines that are handed down.
Commissioner Wachstetter says the company has addressed the problems and has taken steps to make sure it does not happen again.
The spill occurred 1½ miles north of Burwell Creek which flows into the Oostanula River near Ridge Ferry Park.
According to a press release from the city, the blocked main was fixed by 7pm Wednesday.
In other water and sewer committee business, Water director Lee Ross says the department is making steady progress in completing the installation of new water meters. He says it is all on track to be completed by the end of the year.
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