On Friday, the problem with the sewage system in San Antonio started when the sewer force-main from lift station A-16 to Agingan Wastewater Treatment Plant broke down.
“The volume of spill was very small, localized, and did not reach any waters or result in property damage,” Fletcher said.
FCUC worked to activate lift station A-1 to bypass the section of pipeline and avert any overflows, he added.
CUC crews then excavated and repaired the location of the break on the A-16 force main, he said.
The original force-main repair was completed on Saturday, with no additional spill, he added.
However, he said new problems began on Sunday evening and on Monday morning when a separate overflow incident due to pump clogging at A-1 and A-16 was noticed.
“This overflow was significant and the CUC lab conducted marine water sampling at the storm water drainage channel and one immediately behind the two lift stations,” Fletcher said.
CUC visually checked the storm water drainage channel north of Pakpak Beach and south of the Pacific Islands Club plant nursery, he added.
CUC did not see any discharge, although there was a great amount of sewage water coming from an overflowing manhole along the roadway in front of PIC, Fletcher said.
That overflow caused surface sewage to spill into living areas, inundating two homes, he added.
The pump stations repairs were later completed and CUC crews stayed on site directing vacuum-truck cleanup operations and applying chemicals to treat any surface sewerage, he said.
According to Fletcher, CUC continues to work with residents in the cleanup and local contractors have been called in to assist.
CUC also continues to monitor water quality in the general area to ensure public health, he said.
“My thanks to the public for their patience during this event and to CUC crews that worked throughout the night to make repairs and to help clean up damage,” he told Variety in an email interview.
Fletcher said CUC will continue to closely monitor the cleanup, water quality and work with residents.
“We take this very seriously and while these types of overflows do not occur often, CUC apologizes for the massive inconvenience to customers and we will work to avert future such incidents,” he added.
