Monteagle Sewage Spill Puts Well Water Users in Pelham Valley Area on Alert

A sewage spill in Monteagle puts people in the Pelham Valley area on alert.

Sunday's collapse of a waste water tank sent more than 100 thousand gallons of sewage into Jaunita creek.

Monteagle's mayor Charles Rollins warns people at the foot of the mountain not to drink or cook with well water.

Elijah Cantrell is among as many as 28 people in the Pelham Valley area with wells.

Elijah Cantrell, "We use it for pretty much all or farm animals like my dogs our cows our chickens.

News of a sewage spill in Monteagle leaves him concerned about his animals and worried for some of his neighbors.

Cantrell, "I know that they live off of a lot of water wells around their house and they take showers in it and drink from it. It's an everyday part of their lives "

Charles Rollins, Monteagle Mayor, "They could be contaminated. We do not know that at this time. We will be doing some testing that will be in our plan of action that we have for the upcoming week."

Monteagle Mayor Charles Rollins warns people in the Pelham Valley area not to drink or cook with their well water until the testing is complete.

He learned of the spill early Sunday morning

Rollins, "The west side of the tank completely lay down on the ground."

It sent 100 thousand gallons of sewage into Jaunita creek.

Officials chlorinated the creek...and bypassed the failed tank.

Rollins, "We have had roughly 700 thousand gallons of bypass after the tank errupted."

Around a half mile from the plant Juanita creek goes underground

That leaves the location of the contaminated water a mystery.

Rollins, "It's north of our plant somewhere. We don't know where."

It could seep into water sources at the foot of the Mountain like Elk River or end up in wells like Elijah's.

"Just wish they'd check this stuff see if, make sure it'll be safe, get back to us."

The City has no idea what caused the tank to collapse.

It's 22 years old but the one next to it is 16 years older.

The city's checking to make sure it's not faulty.