Sewage spill spells trouble in Aquia Harbour

STAFFORD — A sewage spill occurred in Stafford County’s Aquia Harbour subdivision last week, and as of this week, residents are being advised to stay out of the water.

Aquia Harbour General Manager Chuck Halt said Wednesday that with people typically enjoying water skiing, boating and at times, swimming in the area, the spill that happened May 20 makes venturing into the water unsafe.

“We’re still advising people not to swim in the creek,” he said. “…It’s eventually going to flush out. I can’t tell you when.”

An e-mail from Aquia Harbour Property Owners Association recently warned residents not to swim in Aquia Creek, and informed them that a contractor working for Dominion Power cut a sewer line in the Harbour near the intersection of Aquia Drive and Channel Cove.

As a result, according to the e-mail, sewage filled the ditch, on the road shoulders and several property owners’ yards.

Stafford County responded and shut down the pumping station on Aquia Drive near the bridge. Trucks were brought in to remove the sewage. According to the e-mailed report, the home owners association was not notified about what happened until days later.

Dominion, however, did notify the county.

Meanwhile, there have been reports of a sewage smell and floating fecal matter.

According to the Department of Environmental Quality, the sewage spill is estimated at 22,000 gallons, with the amount of sewage estimated at six times the safe limit.

Utilities Director Harry Critzer could not immediately be reached for comment. However, Halt said that he is, in a sense, waiting for Critzer and other officials to notify him that levels are safe. The eColi count is well over 100 currently, he noted.

Stafford County Supervisor Paul Milde, R-Aquia, sent an e-mail to residents May 24 stating that there is no increased risk to swimmers associated with the septic spill.

However on Wednesday, Milde revised his position on that e-mail, which he said represents the county’s position. He said that while he hasn’t heard anything different from the position of the county, if a resident is worried about the risk, he or she should not venture into the water.

While Milde said that there isn’t really a place to swim in the area of interest, he would note that although county staff mentioned that there is no increased risk, “I would suggest people not swim just to play it safe.”

Milde added that Critzer is in the process of finding a test of the local water that predates the spill to compare it to the current water.

Tracy Bell is managing editor for the Stafford County Sun. Reach her at tbell@staffordcountysun.com.