Foley Sewer Overflows Release More Than 12,000 Gallons After 5 Inches of Rain

FOLEY, Ala. — Heavy rain on Sunday pushed more than 12,000 gallons of untreated wastewater out of two Riviera Utilities sewer lift stations in Foley, the utility reported, sending the overflow toward Boggy Branch and Bon Secour. The Foley sewer overflows happened Oct. 4 at the Victoria Place Lift Station and the Pebble Creek Lift Station as more than 5 inches of rain fell over 12 hours.

Riviera Utilities said rainfall rates at times topped 2 inches per hour, putting extra strain on its wastewater collection system. Information about both incidents has been submitted to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, and residents are being advised to use caution in the affected waterways.

Foley Sewer Overflows: Where and How Much

Riviera Utilities reported a combined total of nearly 12,130 gallons of wastewater overflow from the two sites:

• Victoria Place Lift Station, near 2919 S. Juniper St.: nearly 5,940 gallons, overflowing from a nearby manhole. Final receiving water: Boggy Branch.
• Pebble Creek Lift Station, near 1102 Melbourne Court: approximately 6,190 gallons. Final receiving water: Bon Secour.

Victoria Place: A Station Offline for Repairs

The Victoria Place Lift Station had been temporarily taken out of service while crews installed a corrosion-resistant liner, according to Riviera Utilities. When the overflow began, the utility put the station back into operation to help manage the spill and pump wastewater on to the treatment plant.

The nearest creek to the overflow site is 1.25 miles away, the utility said. The final destination of the wastewater was ultimately identified as Boggy Branch.

Liners like the one being installed are commonly used to protect concrete sewer structures from corrosion caused by gases that build up in wastewater, which over time can weaken the structure. The work had the station temporarily out of service when the storm arrived.

Pebble Creek: Pressure in the Force Main

At the Pebble Creek Lift Station, the problem was pressure. Riviera Utilities said excessive pressures in the sewer force main prevented the station’s pumps from moving wastewater into the system at their regular flow rate, and about 6,190 gallons overflowed. The final receiving destination was Bon Secour. The Bon Secour River runs south of Foley and empties into Bon Secour Bay, in the southeastern part of the Mobile Bay system.

What is a lift station and a force main?

Sewer systems rely largely on gravity to carry wastewater downhill through pipes. In flat coastal areas like south Baldwin County, that is not always possible, so utilities use lift stations — pumping stations that collect wastewater and push it uphill or over long distances toward a treatment plant.

The pressurized pipe that carries wastewater out of a lift station is called a force main. When heavy rain gets into a sewer system — through manholes, cracked pipes or improper connections — the volume of water in the lines can rise sharply. If a force main is under too much pressure, pumps cannot move wastewater through it as fast as it comes in, and the excess can back up and spill out of manholes or the station itself.

Health Advisory: Caution in Affected Waters

Riviera Utilities issued the following recommendations for residents near the affected waterways:

• Use caution when taking part in recreational activities in the affected waterways.
• Cook any seafood caught in these areas thoroughly.
• Wash hands thoroughly after handling seafood from affected waters.

Untreated sewage can carry bacteria and other pathogens, which is why utilities and health officials issue these precautions after overflows. The utility did not say how long the advisory would remain in effect.

Why the Rain Overwhelmed the System

The overflows happened on the same day heavy rain triggered Flash Flood Warnings for southeastern Baldwin and southern Mobile counties. In Foley, the downpours closed roads and uprooted trees, as detailed in our coverage of Sunday’s flash flooding and waterspouts along the coast. Forecasters had warned ahead of the weekend that heavy rain and flash flooding were possible across South Alabama.

Rainfall of more than 5 inches in 12 hours, with bursts above 2 inches per hour, can overwhelm both stormwater drainage and sanitary sewer systems. When stormwater seeps into sewer lines — a problem engineers call inflow and infiltration — it adds volume the system was not designed to carry.

Reporting to State Regulators

Riviera Utilities said information about both incidents was submitted to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, the state agency that regulates water quality and wastewater systems in Alabama. Sewer operators in the state report overflows to ADEM, which oversees wastewater permits and tracks spills.

Riviera Utilities is the public utility based in Foley that provides electric, water, wastewater and natural gas service in parts of south Baldwin County. The utility recently announced that CEO Brian Skelton will retire in November after 41 years in public power.

Key Facts

• Date: Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026
• Cause: More than 5 inches of rain in 12 hours, with rates exceeding 2 inches per hour at times
• Total overflow: Nearly 12,130 gallons
• Victoria Place Lift Station: Nearly 5,940 gallons; station was offline for liner installation; reached Boggy Branch
• Pebble Creek Lift Station: About 6,190 gallons; force main pressure limited pumping; reached Bon Secour
• Reported to: Alabama Department of Environmental Management

What We Don’t Know Yet

Riviera Utilities has not said how long each overflow lasted, whether any cleanup or water sampling is planned in the receiving waters, or when the liner work at Victoria Place will be completed. Residents with questions about the overflows or the advisory can contact Riviera Utilities directly.