Two US workers missing after sewage tank bursts

[alp227]

Source: Associated Press

Two workers are missing after a sewage treatment plant in Tennessee spilled millions of litres of sewage.

The Tennessee emergency management agency (Tema) said a holding tank at the plant had given way, leaking sewage into the Little Pigeon river.

Up to 12m litres (2.6m gallons) of sewage spilled, according to Tema spokesman Jeremy Heidt. Some of the spill entered the small river that flows through Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Both cities are top destinations for tourists visiting the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

Eric Brakins, the assistant city manager for Pigeon Forge, said his city was helping to look for the two workers.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/05/us-workers-sewage-tank-bursts

[Tesha]

1. Coming up next: workers in no jeopardy from OSHA cutbacks. (NT)

[Lucinda]

2. Not good. :( The river was really rushing today too.

We had a ton of rainfall last night. We drove by the area on the way back from the doctor this morning. We were wondering what all the vehicles and yellow tape were there for. Bill said it looked like part of the building was missing.

[bluecoat_fan]

3. 2.6 million gallons plus tourist potty now goes directly into the river

MSNBC says the system is currently bypassed, which means "discharged directly into the river"

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42437438/ns/us_news-environment/

[Lucinda]

4. Thanks for that link!

I don't have cable and don't get my local news either. Good to have more information.

[Omaha Steve]

5. I work at one of Omaha's two wasta water treatment plants

Thank you for posting.

K&R!