Camden water tower

The City of Camden says a mechanical failure at a sewage treatment plant caused discharge of non-treated waste into a tributary last week.

The problem occurred on Sept. 22, although the city reported it on social media on Sept. 29.

The city said in a statement that the Sanitation Staff became aware of a mechanical failure at the South Sewage Treatment Plant that caused a release of sewage into the “effluent discharge” area. The city says they took steps “immediately” to correct the failure and stop the discharge, but “a moderate amount of non-treated wastewater was discharged into the adjacent tributary.”

Staff also promptly notified the Alabama Department of Environmental Management as required by State regulations and updates are being provided to ADEM as requested.

“The problem has been resolved, and there will no longer be any effluent waters released from the plant until the repairs have been satisfactorily completed,” the city said. “Please be assured that the City of Camden is committed to the safe treatment of the City's drinking water, wastewater, and sewage.”

Those with questions can contact the sanitation staff at 334-682-4603.

Cindy Fisher is Publisher of the Black Belt News Network and Selma Sun. You can reach her by emailing cfisher@blackbeltnewsnetwork.com.

Want to write for the Black Belt News Network? Send a resume or stories to news@blackbeltnewsnetwork.com.

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