Repairs on sewer pipe expected to finish today

Web posted December 15, 1998

By Robert Pavey
Staff Writer

Repairs to a ruptured concrete pipe that sent 1 million gallons of Augusta's untreated sewage into the Savannah River are likely to be completed today.

About 200 feet of the mid-city interceptor line were replaced after the pipe collapsed Dec. 1, sending sewage into the river for three days.

Contractors worked through the weekend on a supplemental project to reinforce 236 additional feet of pipe deemed vulnerable to future problems, said Tom Wiedmeier, the city's assistant utilities director.

The 1960s-vintage pipe -- about 20 feet beneath the ground -- was believed to have eroded from exposure to hydrogen sulfide, the smelly gas emitted by sewage.

An Atlanta contractor, Insituform, is using new technology to strengthen portions of the underground pipe that were not replaced, he said.

The contractors are lining the pipe with a no-dig technology involving a polyester resin injected into the pipe and set with boiling water that causes the material to stick to the walls.

``It's like putting a pipe inside the pipe. That work is supposed to be finished up tomorrow,'' Mr. Wiedmeier said Monday.

The bill for repairs linked to the spill have not been calculated, he said. He declined to estimate the costs to date.

Environmental regulators, meanwhile, are awaiting the city's final report on the spill before determining whether Augusta will be fined for violating water pollution control laws.

Jeff Larson, manager of permitting, compliance and enforcement for Georgia's Environmental Protection Division, said he expects to meet with Augusta officials soon to receive and discuss their version of the events.

Once that information is gathered, state officials will make recommendations for any enforcement actions, which could include fines of up to $50,000 per day.

Robert Pavey covers environmental issues for The Augusta Chronicle. He can be reached at (706) 868-1222, Ext. 119, or rpavey@augustachronicle.com.