Stretch of Ocmulgee River in Macon may reopen Monday if lab results give a greenlight
People looking to cool off in the Ocmulgee River in Macon are being asked to stay off a stretch of the waterway for now.
That section extends from the south take-out at Amerson River Park to the Spring Street boat landing, said Mark Wyzalek, director, of laboratory and environmental compliance for the Macon Water Authority.
A safety precaution was issued Friday after 4 million gallons of sewage spilled onto a Macon street when a manhole lid was broken earlier this week, according to a Macon Water Authority report.
Officials will be able to give the OK for the public to resume swimming in the river once lab results show it’s safe, said Darryl Macy, the Macon Water Authority’s manager of distribution and sewer conveyance.
A decision on whether to reopen the impacted stretch of waterway is expected Monday, said Wyzalek.
Macy said the spill likely happened while contractors working on the Interstate 75 project accidentally struck a manhole.
The major spill occurred at 1701 Walnut St. on Wednesday afternoon and again on Thursday, with some sewage going into a Vineville ditch.
This story was originally published July 20, 2018 at 5:28 PM.