BAY MINETTE — The Baldwin County Health Department issued a warning on Jan. 22 that sewage had spilled into Hollinger Creek. Though that was the first of such notices in 2010, it was preceded by four similar notices in 2009.

All were in the Hollinger Creek area and all were caused by heavy rain resulting in a manhole overflowing.

North Baldwin Utilities General Manager Jason Padgett said several factors contributed to the spills and said NBU is constantly working to improve the system.

"In 2009 we had a record amount of rain. We recorded 90 inches of rain. We have also had one of the wettest Decembers and Januaries; the ground is saturated," he said.

Padgett explained that all sewage in the system travels by gravitational pull to a central location — the plant.

"When so much water gets mixed in with sewage, the system can only hold so much before it gets backed up," he said. "When that happens the water will find the lowest point, which in this case is the manhole near Hollinger Creek, and will go out there."

Hollinger Creek is one of the last areas before the entrance to the plant, so the pipes there are carrying sewage from all structures east of Hand Avenue.

He said the water/sewage mixture flows out of the manhole and into a drainage ditch, which then carries it to Hollinger Creek.

Padgett said the company is trying to keep up the system, but said employees are battling problems that in some cases date back to the 40s and 50s.

"The sewer system was built in 1946. Since 1996 we have been trying to rehab the system," he said. "Every day we try to fix parts of the system, but in the 50s it was common habit that if water was holding somewhere, they just punched a hole in the sewer pipe and let the water go wherever."

Padgett said another factor working against repairs is the lack of pressure.

"Sewage is not pressurized like water pipes, so there isn't any way for us to know when there is a break," he said. "We're making good headway, but with the amount of rain we've had lately, it's made it more difficult."

He said the utility company is working on a plan to erect an equalization pond, a holding area for such rain events.

"We will have public hearings in about a month, month and a half, and will present plans for the equalization pond. Ninety-nine percent of the time the pond will be empty, but when we have heavy rains, the overflow will go there and be held until it can be treated," he said.

Atmore already utilizes an equalization pond and Daphne is preparing for one, Padgett said.

While the sewage spills require pre-cautionary measures, such as thoroughly cooking any fish or other food taken from the creek, the risk is relatively low.

"So much of it is rain, it's very diluted," he said."But it's still mixed with sewage so we call it a sanitation overflow event.

Padgett said his company will continue to work on the system, but said it will always be an ongoing process.

"Every day we fix something, someone comes along and breaks it and we don't know about it. We will continue to give the sewer system the best care we can," he said.