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Sewage leak caused by vandalism
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What is believed to be an act of vandalism caused almost 120,000 gallons of wastewater overflow to find its way to Taffar Creek.

Tim Collins, the Etowah Water and Sewer Authoritys assistant general manager, said the spill was identified at about 3 p.m. Monday.

A log approximately six inches in diameter and seven feet long and a large limb placed in a manhole caused sewage to back-up in the sewer collection system and overflow, Collins said.

The incident happened near Taffar Creek, between Country Crossing and Dawson Forest Road. Authority employees had the sewer-collection system back to normal by 6 p.m., he said.

Everything got corrected pretty quick, Collins said. Its one of those unfortunate incidents we dont like to happen.

Customers drinking water is not affected by the spill, Collins said. He said people are advised not to access that portion of the creek until the quality of the water is examined.

Authority staff began the required monitoring protocol Tuesday afternoon by posting signs and monitoring the spill site, Collins said. The authority will monitor the streams and know later in the week what the conditions and issues, if any, are.

Collins said both the Georgia Environmental Protection Division and the Dawson County Environmental Health Department were notified. We are contacting the Dawson County Sheriffs Office, Collins said about the matter.