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Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) is a term used to describe two types of events: sanitary sewer spills and sanitary sewer overflows.

Defining Spills and Overflows

By Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division (EPD) definitions:

A sanitary sewage “spill” is an event in which sewage escapes from the conveyance system and enters the waters of the state.

Sanitary sewage “overflow” is an event in which sewage escapes from the conveyance system but is contained before reaching the waters of the state.

Waters of the State are ponds, creeks, streams, rivers, lakes, etc., including storm drains that carry potential pollutants into the waters of the state.

Spills and overflows are further broken down into two classifications—major and minor.

  • Minor SSO classification applies when less than 10,000 gallons of sewage are discharged.
  • Major SSO classification applies when over 10,000 gallons of sewage are discharged. A major spill can also result from permit violations at a wastewater treatment plant. A significant fish kill within the receiving waters is classified as a major spill, regardless of the volume of sewage that entered the receiving waters.

The EPD requires that all Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) report spills; however, EPD does not require POTWs such as the MWA to report overflows.

Nevertheless, the MWA’s leadership feels that it is beneficial and even necessary to report all overflows to the public and the local health department to exercise an open and transparent form of governance to garner public trust. In addition, reporting all overflows, regardless of their severity, helps protect the safety and health of the public from the potential hazards associated with raw sewage.

For More Information About Spill & Overflow Notifications, Please Call 478-464-5600.

About the MWA’s Sanitary Sewer Conveyance System

The Macon Water Authority strives to maintain excellence in its Sanitary Sewer Conveyance System, which has been selected as the state’s Collection System of the Year on more than one occasion by the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. By striving for excellence in its sewer system operations, the MWA hopes to lessen the environmental impacts and health hazards resulting from the unintended discharge of raw sewage due to SSO events.

Help Us Reduce SSOs

MWA customers can always assist the MWA in its endeavors to prevent or reduce SSOs by not pouring grease down the drain and by educating children on the possible dangers of playing near and throwing things into manholes.

Archived spill and/or overflow information can be obtained from the MWA Sewer Conveyance Department.

Man opening fire hydrant

SSO Reports, 2025-2026