CHESAPEAKE, Va. — A blockage on Christmas Eve led sewage to spill into stormwater drainage structures connected to Newton Creek, a tributary of the Elizabeth River, in Chesapeake.
In a news release sent Monday afternoon, HRSD, a regional wastewater treatment servicer, said crews worked to unclog a pipeline after receiving reports of overflowing sewage near Great Bridge Boulevard and Neal Street. Officials said the blockage was cleared and the spill contained in the early hours of December 25.
Using vacuum tanker trucks, crews worked to remove the blockage and sewage that had already overflowed. To prevent any further overflow, they installed a bypass. Officials said the overflow and subsequent effort to fix the blockage did not impact traffic or HRSD services.
HRSD estimates approximately 2,500 gallons of sewage had been spilled. Cleanup of the main area of the spill has been cleared, while work continues for cleanup of the remaining minor areas.
Water quality sampling began on Tuesday.
HRSD reminds everyone to avoid contact with raw sewage. You are urged to wash hands with soap and clean water if contact is made.