September 8, 2021

MAWSS reports on Sanitary Sewer Overflows

MOBILE, Ala. — Mobile Area Water & Sewer System (MAWSS) responded to multiple Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO) as a result of heavy rains in the Mobile area on September 8.

The MAWSS sewer system is designed to collect and convey wastewater to a MAWSS wastewater treatment plant. During heavy rains, stormwater infiltrates and inundates aging sewer lines causing manholes to overflow. MAWSS is pursuing capital projects to reduce the number of SSO’s caused by wet weather.

Below are the locations, estimated amounts, and receiving waters. Some locations are ongoing. A final update will be provided once the last overflow has stopped:

Location Estimated Gallons Receiving Water
1301 Gulf Field Dr. W. — Ongoing — Eslava Creek
1710 Gulf Field Dr. N. — Ongoing — Eslava Creek
766 Johnston Ave. — 19,875 — Eslava Creek
1753 Maryvale St. — 4,375 — Eslava Creek
1307 Gulf Field Dr. W. — Ongoing — Eslava Creek
1352 Gulf Field Dr. E. — Ongoing — Eslava Creek

Dr. Bernard H. Eichold II, Health Officer for Mobile County, advises area residents to take precautions when encountering any standing water that may have accumulated because of these overflows. Those who have come into direct contact with untreated sewage are advised to wash their hands and clothing thoroughly.

Area residents should take precautions when using Eslava Creek for recreational purposes because of these overflows. All seafood harvested in this general area should be thoroughly cooked before eating. People should wash hands after cleaning seafood and before preparing food.

In order to reduce the impact of heavy rains infiltrating our sewer lines, which limits the sewer system’s capacity to move wastewater flows to our treatment plants, MAWSS diverts wastewater to large temporary storage facilities. The diversion of flows reduces wastewater volumes in the collection system and aids in maintaining conveyance capacity in the system.

Below are Severe Weather Attenuation Tanks (SWAT) and volumes of wastewater diverted:

Eslava SWAT (currently diverting) – 1,166,665 gallons.