By Susan Larson
The City of Fredericksburg issued a warning March 23 for people and their pets to avoid sections of Smith Run, Hazel Run and the Rappahannock River due to raw wasterwater contamination of the waterways.
A broken sewer main was discovered Sunday night, March 22, along Smith Run in the vicinity of The Residences at Belmont Apartment Homes, 2520 Belmont Terrace, said Doug Fawcett, director of Fredericksburg Public Works. As a result, raw wastewater flowed from the line into Smith Run and eventually into the Rappahannock River. “Early Monday morning crews were able to isolate the main and bypass the flow of wastewater around the broken section,” Fawcett said. “Crews will continue working at the site over the next several days to replace the broken section of sewer main and restore the area.” Crews expect to have clean-up completed by noon on Wednesday, March 25.
No one should enter Smith Run and Hazel Run from the point where Smith Run enters, to the Rappahannock River and down river for approximately one mile from the Blue and Gray Parkway (Route 3) Bridge.
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