Mobile County Water, Sewer & Fire reports Sanitary Sewer Overflow 08.01.2023

August 1, 2023

Mobile County Water, Sewer & Fire reports Sanitary Sewer Overflow

MOBILE, Ala. — The Mobile County Water, Sewer & Fire Protection Authority responded to a Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) on July 31. It occurred at the Master Lift Station at 5451 Highway 188 in Coden.

Officials say the cause of the SSO was a lightning strike that knocked out power to the lift station on July 30 at approximately 8 p.m. There was enough holding capacity to handle flow over the night, so the SSO did not begin until the morning of July 31. Officials also learned a backup pump did not automatically come on because of a bad float switch on the bypass pump.

The SSO was an estimated 600 gallons. The overflow was contained to the company’s fenced-off lift station site and did not reach any drainage ditches or bodies of water.

Dr. Kevin Philip Michaels, Health Officer for Mobile County, advises area residents to take precautions when coming into contact with any standing water that may have accumulated as a result of this overflow. Those who have come into direct contact with untreated sewage are advised to wash their hands and clothing thoroughly.