ROBERTDALE, Ala. — Heavy rains over the weekend caused parts of the Robertsdale sewer system to overflow into Rock Creek.

The Baldwin County Health Department says that about 1,000 gallons of sewage escaped from Robertsdale pipes and was “discharged into Rock Creek from two different manholes.”

The Health Department says the leak occurred on Monday, March 16, and did not end until Tuesday, March 17.

“With all the rain we had, the lines get full and overflow,” said Dan Henley, chief operator of the Robertsdale Water Water Treatment Plant. Henley estimated that more than 4 inches of rain fell over a “three to four day” period.

The leaks, Henley said, came at two manholes, one on White Avenue and the other on College Street.

“These are old lines, and the joints leak here and there,” Henley said.

Rock Creek weaves its way through the northeast corner of the city. U.S. Highway 90 and County Road 71 cross the creek.

“It all goes into Rock Creek,” said Henley. He said that Rock Creek joins Backwater Creek and then flows into Perdido Bay.

Crews from the treatment plant worked at both locations to clean up the spill, Henley says. A variety of substances, including lime, was used to clean the spill.

“We cleaned lines and made sure that there was no blockage,” said Henley.

While Henley believes what remained of the spill was quickly diluted and flushed down the creek by the rainwater, the Health Department advises the public to “exercise caution using this water body for recreational purposes.”

Henley noted that Rock Creek was shallow, mostly contained in ditches and unlikely to be used for fishing or swimming. If people do come in contact with the water, his advice was to “wash your hands real well.”