Grease blamed for nearly 9,000-gallon sewage spill in Lawrenceville

Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources spokeswoman Karen Shields said the spill began at a manhole located at 3100 Club Drive, and it was reported to county officials at 12:53 p.m. About 8,800 gallons of sewage spilled from the manhole before crews got it stopped at 2:15 p.m.

The water department has repeatedly warned residents to not pour fats, grease and oils down their sink drains because they can harden in the sewer line and cause spills when they block the flow of sewage. The list of items they recommend residents not pour down drains not only includes liquid fats and cooking grease, but also substances such as melted ice cream.

The department instead recommends residents pour those materials into a container, let it solidify and then throw it in the garbage. They have created a public awareness and education site on the dangers of fats, oils and grease at www.unclogthefog.com.

In the case of this particular spill, crews collected run-off, washed down impervious surfaces and posted signs in the area so residents would know what happened. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division was also contacted about the event on Thursday.