Fayetteville crews contain 800-gallon sewer spill on Running Bear Trail after debris blockage
Rags and brick fragments clogged a city sewer line Tuesday, sending sewage onto the ground — but crews cleared it the same day and no waterways were affected.
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A sewer line packed with rags, brick fragments, and other debris triggered an 800-gallon spill in Fayetteville's Running Bear Trail area Tuesday afternoon, August 4, 2026 — but city crews contained it the same day, according to the City of Fayetteville.
The City of Fayetteville Public Services Division said the blockage caused approximately 800 gallons of sewage to flow from the sewer onto the ground. No waterways were impacted.
Crews cleared the blocked line, cleaned the affected area, and applied lime — a standard disinfectant used to neutralize sewage contamination on land. The city says crews will continue to monitor the area.
The presence of rags in the blockage points to a cause city and utility systems nationwide frequently flag: non-flushable items entering the sewer system. Unlike toilet paper, rags do not break down in wastewater lines and can accumulate into blockages capable of causing overflows.
Why it matters — Residents near Running Bear Trail should be aware sewage reached the ground in their area, though the city says the site has been cleaned, disinfected, and is being monitored.
Reported by fayetteville-ga.gov, clearwatersolutions.com
