Heavy rain in the Douglas-Coffee County community on Friday, June 19, 2026, caused a wastewater spill into a tributary of the Seventeen Mile River.
The City of Douglas Wastewater Treatment Plant reports that the spill occurred into an unnamed tributary of the Seventeen Mile River. The spill date was from Friday at 5:30 p.m. until 10:40 p.m. the same day.
The spill occurred at 622 Iron Road in Douglas. Approximately 50,000 gallons are being reported. As a precaution, it is recommended that citizens have no contact with the affected stream water until after July 3, 2026.
City personnel will be sampling the waterway both upstream and downstream of the spill to ensure that the water quality has not been adversely affected. Sampling will be conducted for dissolved oxygen concentration, pH, and temperature. The spill was caused by high water flows from the rain causing flow to back up and out of a manhole.
Questions may be directed to Kevin Davis, Project Manager, at 912-389-3444.
