More than 6,000 gallons of wastewater flowed into Mobile, Ala., waterways Jan. 23, 2015

Mobile, Ala. -- The Mobile Area Water & Sewer System (MAWSS) reported several sanitary sewer overflows resulting from heavy rains on Jan. 23. The National Weather Service reported up to 3 inches of rain fell during that time period. Six overflows abated late Friday, after the rain stopped, according to a spokeswoman for the utility.  Estimated totals are listed below.

• At 600 Bizzell Ave. at Pecan St., 60 gallons overflowed into Three Mile Creek;
• At 569 Bizzell Ave. at Pecan St., 120 gallons overflowed into Three Mile Creek;
• At Dog River Dr. W. at Bream Dr., 3,625 gallons overflowed into Dog River;
• At 2335 Dog River Dr. S., 1,950 gallons overflowed into Dog River;
• At Parkway Dr. at Peer Ct., 940 gallons overflowed into Dog River;
• At 208 Westwood St., 120 gallons overflowed into Eslava Creek;
• At 175 Westwood St., 120 gallons overflowed into Eslava Creek.

 Dr. Bernard Eichold, Health Officer for Mobile County, advises area residents to take precautions when using the water ways listed above for recreational purposes because of the more than 6,000 gallon overflow. All seafood harvested in this general area should be thoroughly cooked before eating. People should wash their hands before cleaning seafood and before preparing food in general.

About MCHD

Since 1816, the Mobile County Health Department and its staff have worked to promote, improve and protect the health of those who live and work in Mobile County.  For more than a decade, MCHD has been continuously accredited by the Joint Commission and was the first public health agency in Alabama with this designation. More than 40,000 patients visited the Mobile County Health Department’s 10 primary care sites, known as Family Health, in 2014.