Posted: Monday, August 2, 2010 6:17 pm

A sanitary sewer overflow on August 1 caused raw sewage to enter the West Fork Stones River just south of the bridge over Bridge Avenue.
    
The Murfreesboro Water and Sewer Department (Department) responded to a call from a citizen that the river water near the bridge looked gray and dead fish were present.

Department personnel quickly investigated, located the source and stopped the overflow. The overflow was caused by multiple electrical malfunctions at the Old Fort Park Pumping Station. The pump motors, including the backup emergency equipment defaulted, possibly because of a lightning strike, and caused sewage to backup in the sanitary sewer lines, sewage eventually overflowing from a low manhole into the river near the bridge.

Murfreesboro Electric Department (MED) reported disruption of electrical service in the area as a result of lightning.

The Department notified the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation who are evaluating the overflow in cooperation with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

Until further notice the public is advised to stay out of the water in West Fork Stones River along the Greenway from the Bridge Avenue to the Thompson Lane Trail Head. Use of the Greenway Trails will not be affected. While indications are the stream appears to be recovering, out of an abundance of caution the public is advised to stay out of the water.  Signs will be posted along the Greenway to stay out of the water until it is determined water recreation uses may be resumed.  

Contact Department Director Joe Kirchner (615-890-0862) for more information.