Some 50,000 gallons of wastewater has spilled into a tributary of Balus Creek, according to the Gainesville Public Utilities Department.

The overflow was discovered at about 10 a.m. Tuesday between Oakwood and Old Oakwood roads when one of the city’s environmental specialists was performing routine sewer line and creek inspections.

Public Utilities Department staff estimate the overflow lasted between 48 to 72 hours, spilling onto the ground and entering a tributary of Balus Creek.

The obstruction was cleared, and the flow returned to normal at about 11 a.m. Tuesday. The area was cleaned, signs were posted and Hall County Environmental Health and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division were contacted about the spill.