a joint corroded metal couplers over a long time, the Associated Press reported October
31. Two plant operators died April 5 when a concrete wall fell onto the control building
where they were working. The collapse sent about 850,000 gallons of untreated sewage
into the Little Pigeon River. The agency concluded construction of the wall that
collapsed during a period of heavy rain was done in such a way that it produced what is
called a “cold joint.” The construction allowed acidic effluent to corrode reinforcing
bar splice couplers. The report said the couplers probably did not all fail in the collapse,
but gave way over many years. Construction of the equalization basin, where the failure
occurred, was completed in 1996. Inspectors also found the contractor has used splicing
couplers instead of dowels, which were specified in the design of the basin. The
TOSHA, however, concluded the switch was not, in itself, a cause of the collapse, but
the change did accelerate deterioration.
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Lauderdale, Florida, have been contaminated by sewage, the city and health department
said in a health alert October 30. Residents and businesses abutting the canal should not
allow swimming, fishing, jetskiing, or any other activities in the canal, said a release
from city officials who had conferred with the Broward County Health Department.
The source of the contamination is an October 30 overflow of treated wastewater at the
George T. Lohmeyer Wastewater Treatment Plant. There was no indication how long
the health advisory will be in effect.
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wastewater spilled October 28 into a ditch that flows into Broad Branch in Windsor,
North Carolina. Broad Branch is a tributary of the Cashie River. The discharge was the
result of a blockage in the flow line and lasted for 8 hours. Town officials said the
blockage was removed to prevent further discharge.
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Center in Robbins, Illinois, October 31. The Robbins fire chief said the fire started in a
mattress and was probably caused by smoking. Firefighters doused the fire, but the
building had to be closed due to smoke and water damage. Fire officials said three
residents and an employee were taken to a hospital with smoke inhalation, but their