(Gloucester Township, NJ) – At approximately 3:30 p.m. a Camden County Municipal Utility Authority (CCMUA) pump station adjacent to Big Timber Creek on Chews Landing Road lost power from electrical provider, PSE&G. The loss of power created a backup in the station and resulted in a spill of sanitary water into the Big Timber Creek. After about 90 minutes power was restored and the overflow stopped and was contained. Once the spill was under the control the Chews Landing Fire Department assisted in flushing the system and the CCMUA was able to restore it to proper working order.
The Camden County Health Department and the state Department of Environmental Protection are both asking the public to not swim, drink, fish or eat fish out of the Big Timber Creek or its tributaries for the next 24 hours. Towns that have tributaries of the creek include, Gloucester Township, Camden City, Runnemede, Bellmawr, Audubon Park and Mt. Ephraim. These municipalities should follow this public health advisory until Tuesday. The waterways will be monitored by the CCMUA, Health Department and the state DEP over the next several weeks.