Tyrone reports Rivercrest sewer spill response; council approves immediate hire for public works

Tyrone public-works staff detailed emergency response actions after a force-main sewer spill in Rivercrest, and council approved hiring a public-works maintenance candidate to fill an open position.

Staff reported the spill occurred in the afternoon and that crews implemented the town's emergency response plan: crews deployed hay bales, spread lime to reduce pathogens, rerouted flows to a pump station, and engaged Pedmont Pipeline Division for an emergency repair. Town staff said the leak was stopped within about an hour and that contractors completed repairs; the crew was on scene overnight. Downstream monitoring in Trickum Creek is ongoing under a one-year testing plan and the town is submitting required reports to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD). Staff said preliminary testing shows no unusual impacts to public water lines and that they will continue monitoring and reporting.

Separately, council considered and voted to approve the hire of a public-works maintenance candidate, Dominic Trfillo, so the department can fill a vacancy more quickly; staff said council approval would save two weeks in onboarding and help sustain maintenance operations. Council also discussed staff retention and asked for a future review of pay scales to reduce turnover.

No executive actions about the sewer event were taken during the meeting; staff said they will continue testing, report results to EPD and notify the public of any significant findings.