Dublin officials respond to concerns about sewage overflow caused by broken water line

Plans to repair the water line are expected to take 30 to 45 days to complete. From there, it will take the city another three to four months to fix the water line. 

DUBLIN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Earlier this month, residents in a Dublin neighborhood expressed their concerns about a broken water line that may have caused unknown debris to come up through their drains.

Since then, the director of the city’s engineering department, Matthew Bradshaw, says the city has surveyed the water line and is drawing up plans for the repairs.

Bradshaw says crews used a sewer rodding machine to clear possible obstructions in the water line, which caused a manhole on North Church Street to overflow with sewage after heavy rains.

As of Friday, there is no overflow in the street, but it’s a problem Bradshaw says the city has known about for several years.

Dublin officials were notified about the most recent overflow by residents during a city council meeting.

Residents say after contacting the city to ask about the debris and safety of their drinking water, they were not provided with answers about when the line would be fixed.

According to Bradshaw, debris in the water from the drains may contain anything that would be flushed down a toilet, including feces and urine.

He does not recommend residents bathe in the water and says if the problem persists, they should contact the city.

Bradshaw says he had not been contacted about their concerns, but reassures residents the water from the faucet is safe to drink.

Right now, plans to repair the water line are expect to take 30 to 45 days to complete. From there, it will take the city another three to four months to fix the water line.

Residents say nothing has changed since they lodged complaints with the city.

Bradshaw says if residents notice persistent problems or are concerned about the safety of their drinking water, they can contact the Dublin Water Plant at (478) 277-5050 to have their water tested.

He explains the city will make every effort to resolve those issues, but the ultimate fix will be the replacement of the sewer line.