NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather & SportsMysterious Sewage Leak Threatens Small Town

Mysterious Sewage Leak Threatens Small Town

By Nick Beres

MT. PLEASANT, Tenn. - The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation sent a violation letter to the city of Mt. Pleasant after inspectors discovered a leak of wastewater from a huge holding pond.

The lagoon is part of the city's nearly completed $8 million wastewater facility. The leak has sent hundreds of gallons of wastewater and green algae onto a nearby road.

"The algae grows in stagnant water and wastewater," said public works director Billy Nutt.

Nutt says the leakage does not affect drinking water, but it could threaten nearby waterways like Quality Creek.

Nutt and his staff have been unable to locate the leak. They're concerned the leak is a sign the wall that holds back more than a million gallons of wastewater in the lagoon could be weakening.

"When you talk about a lagoon break it would be a disaster. Any leakage could cause a breach, and that would be devastating for the environment," said Nutt.

That is the worst case scenario. Nutt planned to meet with state engineers soon in hopes of locating and fixing the leak. 

E-mail: nberes@newschannel5.com